TAITA TAVETA, Kenya – Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has refuted claims that mining activities are taking place in the Tsavo East National Park.
In a statement seen by Y News, the state agency termed the claims circulating on social media in recent days as false information.
“We wish to clarify that the images being shared online are not from the said Tsavo East National Park and that there are no mining activities taking place there,” the statement reads in part.
Where are the images circulating on social media from
The statement shared by the KWS corporate communications team indicates that the photos being shared are from the Galana Kulalu Food Security Projected located in Galana Ranch.
According to KWS, the project is managed by the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC), which is adjacent to Tsavo East National Park.
“This project is being spearheaded by the State Department of Irrigation and is aimed at enhancing food security in Kenya through large-scale irrigation and sustainable farming practices,” the statement further reads.
As part of the program, KWS revealed that canals are being constructed to facilitate water flow into irrigation farms.
“KWS remains committed to the conservation and protection of our national parks and wildlife heritage,” KWS explained.
What the Kenyan gov’t has been doing in the Tavo ecosystem
Y News understands that in March 2024, In March 2024, it emerged that the government was developing policies to direct the granting of licenses to small-scale and artisanal miners.
This was to allow them entry to national parks that house valuable stones.
At the time, Salim Mvurya, the cabinet secretary for mining, blue economy, and maritime affairs, stated that the state was consulting with mining players on profiting from significant minerals in the Tsavo National Park.
The county authorities, cooperatives, and associations of artisanal miners are among the stakeholders.
