The One Kenya Alliance principals have promised to convert the twin Tsavo National Parks to a game reserve if elected into office next year.
The move, they said, will help Taita Taveta residents benefit from the revenue collected from the park
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his fellow Oka principals Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya), Musalia Mudavadi (ANC) and Kanu’s Gideon Moi said they are committed to improving the residents' lives by allowing them to reap from the park.
“People in Narok are benefiting from the Masai Mara game reserve yet Taita Taveta, whose more than 62 per cent of her land is under national park, do not benefit. We shall convert the national park into a game reserve,” Kalonzo said during a rally at Mwatate on Tuesday.
He said residents have suffered from the conflict despite the government earning billions from wildlife.
Kalonzo was leading his counterparts in a one-day campaign tour of the county, where they were set to address political rallies in Mwatate, Wundanyi and Voi.
The Wiper leader said residents had not benefited in any way from the national park due to human-wildlife conflict.
Once converted, he said the residents will get jobs and they will be prioritised in the recruitment of rangers and other staffers.
“We aim to make the lives of Kenyans better through the creation of jobs and growing the economy,” Kalonzo said.
The principals were accompanied by Wundanyi legislator Danson Mwashako, Taita Taveta deputy governor Majala Mlagui, Deputy Speaker Crispus Tondoo and several Oka affiliated MCAs.
Other leaders were gubernatorial hopefuls Patience Nyange and Onesmus Mwinzi.
Mudavadi asked Kenyans to elect leaders of high integrity to help in the fight against corruption.
He said if elected into office, their government will work to bring to book government officers implicated in corruption cases.
“The country has suffered enough due to corruption. We must take measures to contain further looting of public resources,” the ANC leader said.
He said the poverty level had gone up due to corruption and mismanagement of public resources.
Kanu chairman Gideon Moi said their government shall ensure enhanced free primary and secondary education.
“Oka shall prioritize education so that we have enough professionals who can create jobs. We shall set new infrastructures in our learning institutions,” he said.
Wetang’ula cautioned the government against renewing the controversial parcels of land whose lessees had expired. He said all the public land shall be reverted to locals shall they be elected.
“This county has a lot of historical land injustices that have rendered locals to be squatters. All the land shall be given back to residents through public participation,” Wetangula said.
He promised to streamline the mining sector to help the local community benefit from the multibillion extractive industry.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
