Poor management and insecurity have been blamed for reduced tourism activities and revenue collection at the two national game reserves in Isiolo County.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Mr. Najib Balala today said that Isiolo and Samburu parks recorded poor returns on tourism due to insecurity, which forced visitors to relocate to Narok which is now a hub for tourists.
Balala said that his Ministry has allocated Sh20 million to Isiolo County to repair bridges and to make the roads in the parks more motorable.
The CS said that Isiolo County would further benefit from Sh45 million for compensation of people killed by wildlife and another Sh6.5 million for those injured.
Balala who was accompanied by Isiolo Governor Dr. Mohamed Kuti, senior officials from Ministry and KWS headquarters, Northern Rangeland Trust (NRT) and County security team said the government was focusing on intensifying security in the parks.
The CS added that a group of senior officials would soon meet with residents of Kinna Ward in Garbatulla Sub-County to resolve conflict between the community and KWS.
He said that KWS required around Sh6 billion to compensate all those who were killed or injured by wildlife against a meager allocation of Sh1 billion in the budget.
Speaking during the occasion, Isiolo Governor Dr. Kuti said that revenue collection had dropped by 70 per cent before Covid-19 pandemic due to corruption and poor management.
Dr. Kuti said his administration would step up services at the parks by introducing new policy and hire trained managers to improve activities and security in the parks.
The governor expressed optimism that visiting of attractions would soon resume when the government measures employed to fight Covid-19 work out well and warned Isiolo people against championing conflicts among those residing along the parks which adversely affected tourism activities.
By Abduba Mamo and David Nduro
