- Dadacha said that they had put in place measures to address the issues of pollution.
- Environmental groups have in the past raised concern over the move to host the rally in the world renowned park.
Image: GEORGE MURAGE
The Kenya Wildlife Service has dismissed fears that the World Rally Championship will have negative environmental effects on Hellsgate National Park in Naivasha.
The wildlife agency said mitigation measures had been put in place to protect the wild animals including some endangered species of vultures during the weekend event.
Environmental groups have in the past raised concern over the move to host the rally in the world renowned park, warning that it would have adverse effects on the animals.
But KWS assistant director Joseph Dadacha said robust measures had been put in place in the national park, where the final ceremony will be held on Sunday.
Dadacha downplayed fears that dumping of solid waste would affect the park, adding that this had been addressed.
“We have enough portable toilets and garbage bins placed strategically along the spectators’ zone, with enough staff manning them and collecting any waste,” he said.
Dadacha said that they had put in place measures to address the issues of pollution and littering in a bid to protect the habitat of the park that is home to a variety of wild animals.
“We have designated parking points for those coming to watch the rally and we are calling on the spectators to avoid dumping waste in the park,” he said.
Dadacha called on revellers to keep within the designated spectators’ zone and not to stray to other parts of the park as part of the set safety measures.
“We have enough security officers for this event and we are asking the spectators to stay within the marked zones as some areas in the park have wild animals like buffaloes,” he said.
However, the chairman Friends of Lake Naivasha, Francis Muthui, noted that the event would have a negative effect on the wildlife within the park and the conservancies.
“The noise pollution from the cars will definitely impact negatively on the animals and birds in the park, which is home to some rare species of vultures,” he said.
Muthui termed the event as "financially sound" for the country but "environmentally wrong" for wildlife and birds in the world-renowned park.
“We are asking the organisers to make sure that all waste in the park is collected after the rally as this could have effects on tens of animals in future,” he said.