BY SAM ALFAN.
Senior counsel Taib Ali Taib has written to the Narok County Government questioning the decision to ban the use of private cars for game drives at the World famous Maasai Mara National Reserve Park.
Threatening to take legal action, Taib further demanded to know from the county government whether the letter was genuine and the reason behind the decision.
The renowned lawyer also sought in the letter to know whether the decision was made pursuant to a law or a by-law or an administrative action.
In the demand letter to the county government, Taib further seek the county to confirm and advise under what authority or legal basis, taking care to quote the section of the law it considered donate to you the lawful authority to ban the use of private vehicles for conducting game drives and presumably, entry into the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
He further seeks to know whether public participation was conducted before making the said decision and if so, to provide the details of the said public participation.
Taib, who was a special prosecutor, has demanded the county government to revoke the notice within 10 days failing to which the county decision will be challenged in court.
“Take notice that our client challenges the validity and lawfulness of your aforesaid decision(s) and notice issued unless we receive your response to the above queries within next 10 days from the date thereof, we will reasonably assume that you indeed have neither the legal nor any factual basis for making the said decision (s) and for issuing the notice in question and will be at liberty to take any further legal action against you that our client deems necessary,” demands lawyer Taib.
In aa press release, county government of Narok has confirmed directive by the Chief Park administrator issued on June 3rd this year.
“According to county government, The prohibition has been necessitated by a series of compelling factors, including but not limited to: Instances of Misconduct: Numerous reported incidents of misconduct by drivers and occupants of
private vehicles, displaying blatant disregard for reserve regulations.
“Environmental Degradation: Escalating cases of environmental degradation within the reserve premises,characterized by littering, noise pollution, and unauthorized gatherings (Kupiga Sherehe and partying),all contravening the stipulated reserve protocols, ” claims county government of Narok.
The ccounty government adds that persistent incidents of private vehicles deviating from designated paths, thereby
creating unauthorized routes and exacerbating the risk of environmental damage. Additionally, these
off-road excursions frequently result in vehicular entrapment, necessitating extensive rescue operations, often extending into the deep of the night.
The Narok County Government emphasizes that sanctioned vehicles are accompanied by proficient
guides, extensively trained in reserve protocols, ensuring safe and compliant exploration of the park.
