Petitions Committee Seeks Answers For Landlocked Narok Residents
The National Assembly’s Public Petitions Committee led by Hon. Nimrod Mbai (Kitui East) met the State Department of Wildlife Principal Secretary (PS) Ms Silvia Museiya accompanied by the Director General Kenya Wildlife Services, Dr Erustus Kanga. The meeting was regarding a petition filed by Narok East MP, Hon. Aramat Lemanken.
The petition implores the National Government to undertake the construction of a publicly accessible road to specifically cater to the residents of Narok East. This request arises from the unique geographical circumstance in which the constituency finds itself, encompassed by the expansive Hell’s Gate National Park, the renowned Olserian Farm, and Kengen Geothermal Station.
The inhabitants face restrictions, allowed to enter Hell’s Gate National Park only on two specific days per week. This limits their ability to move freely. Consequently, they experience not just the lack of necessities like healthcare access but also the hindered availability of crucial markets in Naivasha, which are vital for their survival. As pastoralists, it’s essential for them to not only find fertile pastures for their livestock but also to have unrestricted access to markets that ensure fair returns on their business.
The PS told the Committee that it is trying to protect and conserve the Hell’s Gate National Park;
“If we open Pandora’s box to allow passage through protected areas and Parks we will be obliterating our conservations. We need to protect our country’s bio-diversity,” said Ms Museiya
She further assured the Committee that the State Department is prepared to cede land, to enable the Ministry of Transport to create a public road to benefit the residents.
The Committee raised inquiries about the reasoning behind allowing roads like Mombasa Road to pass through Tsavo National Park without constraint, despite the imperative of conserving those parks. Furthermore, they highlighted that if passage is already permitted twice a week, there seems to be no inherent reason to withhold access on the remaining days.
Hon. Mbai stated; “We won’t stop until the people of Narasha have a road. We can’t have residents moving 150 km to get basic health facilities and markets to help sustain their livelihood. Something needs to change. We need at least Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) to be given access to transport these residents. A solution is imperative.”
A consensus was reached with Dr Kanga, involving all pertinent parties convening in a roundtable discussion with the Committee. The aim is to collectively find a solution for the inhabitants of Narok East. This involves exploring an alternative road whereby the biodiversity of the Parks is maintained while simultaneously facilitating improved access for the residents’ development.
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