Narok Governor Samuel Tunai has warned politicians allegedly politicising the Maasai Mara Game reserve to woo voters in their camp that they risked scaring away tourists during this high season.
Tunai said Maasai Mara is the main source of revenue for the Narok people and residents living around the reserve have greatly benefited from the 19 per cent revenue that is given back to the community.
He expressed fears that the recent utterances by politicians vying for various seats in the county who allege that the money from the reserve has been misappropriated would easily turn down tourists interested in visiting the game reserve.
“We are approaching the peak season when thousands of wildebeest and zebras spectacularly cross River Mara from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara game reserve. During this season, most of the hotels are fully booked by foreign visitors,” he said.
Tunai spoke when he attended a political rally at Mara Ward in Narok West Sub County where he said his administration has ensured that all residents living around the park benefit from the revenue collected.
The second term governor expressed confidence that the UDA party would win majority seats in the coming elections alleging that the party was the most famous in the county.
Also in attendance was UDA Narok governorship candidate Patrick Ntutu who called on residents to embrace peace and cohesion during this electioneering season.
Tunai’s sentiments were triggered by utterances by Narok North MP Moitalel Ole Kenta who alleged that Tunai was using his powers as a governor to collect revenue from the game reserve for personal gains.
Ole Kenta who is seeking to inherit Tunai on a ODM ticket said he will do a forensic audit of the revenue collected at the park since the onset of devolution if elected in the August 9 polls.
Tunai is among 11 other candidates vying for the senatorial seat in Narok County.
The county collects over Sh. 2.8 Billion from the Maasai Mara game reserve annually.
