Corridor for game is idea whose time has passed
By Dr Imre Loefler
It will be remembered that shortly before the referendum on the constitution, the Government tried to "hand over" Amboseli to the Kajiado County Council.
The move was widely perceived as a bribe, meant to influence Kajiado voters. There was an outcry. It was pointed out that the action was clearly in breach of the law. Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), in a rare spirit of unity and courage, also protested. The Government ignored the outcry, the protests and the commotion.
Eventually, a number of conservation organisations decided on a joint action: They took the Government to court and were successful. The court issued an injunction barring the Government from proceeding. Since then, numerous court hearings have been scheduled and, for one reason or another, adjourned.
Government breaks the law
Presently, there are rumours that the Government has directed KWS to effect the hand over. The fact that it breaks the law and acts in contempt of court is nothing new. Contempt for the law, courts and decency are well established. But there are indications that society is not as prostate as it used to be and that the protests could escalate and further discredit the Government.
Suppose the KWS board has the courage enough to say No! Suppose there is one or other civil servant in the board who is brave enough to say No — like the Chief Conservator of Forests did the other day and refused to excise a piece of land from the Arboretum even though the Vice-President was trying to "direct" him to do so.
Consider also the confusion and lack of direction in policy matters. While in the east of Kajiado District the Government wishes to please the Maasai by "giving" them Amboseli, in the north, Kitengela and the surroundings, compulsory land acquisition has been planned to create corridors linking the Nairobi National Park to the hinterland in a desperate attempt to "save" the park.
Anti-wildlife sentiment
It seems KWS and the Government share the illusion that animal corridors will vouchsafe the resurrection of the migration. The corridor project is misconceived. Wildlife numbers on the Athi-Kapiti plains have dwindled and there are many dams, hence there is no reason to migrate.
Moreover if the plains remain non-protected areas, wildlife will disappear. The corridor fracas would be drawn out for years, including court injunctions, demonstrations, wanton destruction of wildlife and all manner of disruption would compromise the Nairobi National Park. The worst side effect will be the rise of the anti-wildlife sentiment and the sharpening of development vs conservation conflict.
Some NGOs and media would claim that the Government, under the influence of the West, cares for animals more than people.
Political interference nauseating
All this was happening at the time when the 60th anniversary of the founding of Kenya’s national parks, notably Nairobi, was celebrated. The messages were upbeat. The Tourism and Wildlife minister, laudably so, seems determined to carry on with the Wildlife Policy Review. He seems undeterred by all manner of interference, including vice-presidential utterances.
The Permanent Secretary and the Director of KWS, in their messages, were preoccupied with the branding exercise. There is nothing wrong with trying to market our parks although, obviously, the best marketing would be to make sure that wildlife flourishes, infrastructure is good and improving, there is no insecurity and harassment of tourists and there are no cattle in the parks.
In his message, the chairman of KWS clearly said he is against a "megazoo", emphasising that he is anti-fencing and pro-corridor. One wonders whether he has studied the situation on the Athi-Kapiti Plains and whether he has spoken to the people in Kitengela whose land he wants to take away.
In any case, if fencing defines a zoo, then he is already presiding over zoos in Nakuru, Rumba, Mwea, Shimba Hills and soon the Aberdares and Mount Kenya! It is unbelievable how one of the prime wildlife countries in the world can get into such confusion and contradictions in conservation policy and practice. Of course, the reason is the willingness to sacrifice everything to political tactics. There are no principles, no fundamentals, not even strategies, just expediency.
Confusion in policy
Interests and influence have become so sequestrated that within one district, two opposing policies can be pursued — never mind the people, never mind wildlife. In the end, all that matters is money. The core issue is how the money earned by Amboseli and on compulsory acquisition (to be provided, apparently, by the American Conservation Organisation) will be distributed.
The establishment of corridors and a reserve on the Athi-Kapiti Plains would have been, perhaps, possible 20 years ago. Now, it is too late. The best option is to fence the park, restock and make it a showcase of 21st Century conservation.
The writer is a retired surgeon
the standard wednesday 10 jan 07
