NEW SYSTEM AT MARA DIVIDES LEADERS

The smart card revenue collection system at the gates of Masai Mara Game Reserve has led to a separation of local leadership.

The MP of Narok South and his partner have disapproved the system in which the contract gave Equity bank permission to collect revenue on their behalf.

Nkoidilas Ole Lankas said the system is very good but the residents have been against it because the agreement was signed with discretion. The council signed a 10 year agreement with a private bank yet it will not exist when the country gets a new government after the general elections.

The Heritage Minister William Ole Ntimama said e-ticketing will benefit the local community because it will stop the uncontrolled theft of money by the gate clerks, councilors and senior council officials.

Because of the system, the tourists have been denied access to the reserve by the protestors. The chairman of Narok County Council Joseph Ole Nkadado told the local community to support the electronic ticketing because it has an aim of improving revenue collection.

The Narok County Congress lobby chairman George Ole Narok has not agreed with the new system because they will not benefit from the park so it has to be removed.

The money from the park has never benefited the residents but they are against the agreement between the bank and the council .the chairman said if the bank fails to collect Sh1.5 billion every year, the council will be told to pay it together with the service fee of 50% difference and if it is to leave, it will require to pay service charge of 7% for eight years.

The CEO of Equity bank said the bank has not done any thing wrong but followed the set up procurement laws. The contract was to supply, install and commission the new system not to collect revenue and park entry fees.

The communities near the game reserve said they were not consulted by the council before the agreement. This has led to protesting of the residents therefore refusing hundreds of tourists to access   the park.

A number of livestock have been driven into the park and this has interfered with the tourists’ game viewing safari.

The residents said they will keep on protesting until the deal is cancelled .the protestors burned the solar panel equipment and software gadgets that had been installed at the gate to monitor revenue collection.

The tour drivers have pleaded with the Tourism Minister to solve the situation by visiting the park and talking to the locals because there will be a number of cancellations.