THARAKA NITHI, Kenya – Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki has petitioned the national government to enter into partnerships with counties bordering national parks.
The county boss gave an example of Kajiado and Narok counties, which now manage Amboseli and Maasai Mara parks, respectively, while urging that such a move benefits the host communities financially.
“Here in Tharaka Nithi, we also have the Meru National Park. The longest boundary of Meru National Park out of all the counties touching this park is Tharaka Nithi County. This is why we are asking the president that when you are considering other counties that have national parks for partnership, just the same way with the case of Kajiado and Narok counties, also consider us,” said Governor Njuki.
Governor Njuki observed that he had seen Taita Taveta County reach out to the head of state for a possible partnership in the management of the Tsavo ecosystem.
“I also saw the County Government of Taita Taveta ask the president to give them a share of the Tsavo ecosystem. All we are saying is that whenever an elephant strays from Tharaka Nithi County, they don’t harm anyone else apart from our own people and some from Meru County,” he added.
In his own words, the County boss added: “So, if there are people who need to have partnerships in this park, then they are the people of Tharaka Nithi County and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) or the Ministry of Tourism. We don’t want to have the whole park, but all we want is to have a partnership so that we can have activities that can empower our people.”
Staying in theme with this year’s Jamhuri day celebrations, advocating for tourism and wildlife, Governor Njuki noted the importance of the counties also reaping big from the tourists visiting their regions, while enumerating the many sites in the county that have become key sources of income for the country, and not benefiting the local communities that work on maintaining the parks.
Why Governor Muthomi Njuki wants locals to conserve the environment
Speaking at the newly built Kajiunduthi Stadium in Muthambi Ward, Maara Constituency, the governor also called on the locals to maintain the highest standards of conserving the tourism income earners, as he champions his message for revenue sharing.
“Tourism in Tharaka Nithi County is a big sector. Some people look down upon us, forgetting that the biggest national park in this region, Mt Kenya National Park, is located in Tharaka Nithi County. The park
has unique elephants that are not found elsewhere in this country. We don’t get a lot of recognition because many people only know about the Maasai Mara and other touristy destinations,” he explained.
Governor Njuki further said the deal between the national government and Narok and Kajiado counties has given a boost to their revenue collection and thus contributes to bettering their people’s lives.
“All we just need is to market our tourist destinations more and come up with activities that can create employment opportunities for our youth,” he added.
And in a strongly worded statement, aimed at residents invading forests and cutting indigenous trees, the governor and the county commissioner, David Gitonga, sent a warning to the unscrupulous dealers, saying they risked destroying the ecosystem.
“We have people who are cutting indigenous trees in Kiera Hills and other hills in Tharaka. Those people who are cutting trees are the same people making our county arid. This is happening in the full glare of our officers, mandated to protect these places
What the Tharaka Nithi County Commissioner told the residents
Tharaka Nithi County Commissioner David Gitonga warned against the rise in teenage pregnancies, noting that the administration has rolled out a monitoring campaign, as it is also emerging that the culprits are older men, above 18 years, targeting unsuspecting children.
On illicit alcohol, the leadership called for tighter monitoring, as it also emerges that several traders with genuine licences are selling illicit alcohol to balance their books.
“There is also a strong commitment between the two levels of government to work closely to achieve unified development for the people,” said the County commissioner.
Governor Njuki also said that some of the forests being destroyed are home to the rare pancake tortoise.
“By destroying our forests, you are not only killing the environment, but you are also getting rid of very endangered species on the mountain, like a very rare tortoise species called the pancake tortoise that is only found here in our county. So, when you burn some sections of their habitat, do you think in the coming few years we shall have them?” he posed.
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