After a 16-month closure, the spectacular killer gorge in Hell's Gate National Park – where seven people died in a flash flood – will soon reopen.
Kenya Wildlife officials said on Thursday it would reopen in a couple of weeks, but the exact date was not given.
A family of six and their tour guide were swept away on September 1, 2019, after heavy rains in nearby hills. There were no weather alerts, sirens or emergency exits for their escape.
The bodies of the seven, including two minors, were found 30km from the gorge.
The gorge was closed indefinitely.
Alerts, sirens and exit routes have been installed. Sirens will warn visitors of bad weather in advance.
KWS Central Rift assistant director Dickson Ritan said on Thursday the gorge would open in a couple of weeks after all safety measures were in place and tested.
Ritan said funds had been released to released for safety measures.
“We are keen on several escape exits in the gorge and we shall address the issue of early warning systems within the park,” he said.
The gorge is one of the most-visited spots in the park.
“Once it's operational, the gorge will be better and safer for our visitors as we are keen to fully address safety,” he said.
Maasai community leader Jackson ole Senchu said closure of the gorge had cost about 100 tour guides and traders their jobs.
"Closure of the gorge was a major blow to the community as tens of our youths were employed as guides and women sold beadwork and trinkets," he said.
He said the community fully supported the safety measures and said everyone had been shaken by the deaths.
(Edited by V. Graham)
