- They said Ruto should give back Tsavo the same way he gave Amboseli National Park to Kajiado County government
- the community is now working on modalities of reaching the president through the elected leaders.
Image: SOLOMON MUINGI
Taita Taveta community wants President William Ruto to transfer the Tsavo West and East National Parks to the county government.
The community said Ruto should give back Tsavo the same way he gave Amboseli National Park to Kajiado County government.
In a petition, the community also wants the head of state to return the management of the expansive conservation area to the community.
"We thus implore you to similarly consider the transfer and management and administration of the Tsavo national parks from the national government to the County Government of Taita Taveta that plays host to the parks, " the petition reads.
The Tsavo national park are the oldest and largest parks in Kenya.
The two parks host, the Mzima Springs, a water catchment that supplies water for entire Coast region.
The community said, dozens of residents gave up their huge tracts of land to play host to the national parks hence need for management.
The parks occupy more than 60 per cent of Taita Taveta County landmass.
The over 22,000 square kilometres parks also border Kitui, Makueni, Kilifi, Kwale, Tana River and Kajiado counties.
In the petition, the community wants a technical committee with representatives from both national and county governments constituted, to facilitate the transfer.
They also want a 50-50 per cent revenue-sharing framework to be formulated to ensure maximum benefit for the local community.
"We pray That the total revenue raised from the park be shared equally between the national government and the Taita Taveta county government on a 50-50 per cent pro-rata basis," the petition reads.
The devolved unit has been eying a pie for billions collected from the park annually.
President Ruto while touring the county in July, said revenue from the parks will be shared equally between Kenya Wildlife Service and counties bordering the parks.
He said there has not been an equal share of revenue from the parks thus resulting in marginalisation.
Ruto said the government will convene a meeting between county leaders and KWS to come up with a revenue-sharing agreement.
Professor Fred Ogola, one of the lead lobby members, said the petition will be presented to the head of the state through the region's members of parliament.
"Initially we wanted to petition either the Senate or the National Assembly but they cannot legally grant some of the prayers," he said.
He said the community is now working on modalities of reaching the president through the elected leaders.
"We are engaging legislators to lead the Taita Taveta County Council of Elders to meet the president. They will also lead in handing over the petition," he added.
He said the community through the initiative dubbed Operation Linda Jamii will use solomonic wisdom to convince the head of state to hand over the park.