This archive report was first published on 3 January 2022.
January 3, 2022, marked a turning point for wildlife conservation in Naivasha as ongoing projects began to take a toll on the ecosystem. The construction of the Inland Container Depot (ICD) and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) station in Mai Mahiu, as well as geothermal exploration sites in Olkaria, have blocked wildlife migratory routes, leading to an increase in human-wildlife conflict.
Francis Muthui, chairman of Friends of Lake Naivasha, expressed concerns that the massive investments in Naivasha are a major blow to wildlife conservation. He noted that already tens of wild animals have been displaced in Mai Mahiu, with more animals being pushed away from Olkaria and Hells Gate National Park into neighbouring farms and ranches.
According to Muthui, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) done before the projects indicated that wildlife routes would not be affected, but things on the ground are different. “The projects are economically sound but they have already displaced hundreds of animals and they will in future have a major impact on conservation efforts,” he said.
Recent incidents, such as a herd of elephants straying into Naivasha and causing destruction of property and disruption of traffic, serve as a major pointer of things to come. Chairman of Lake Naivasha Basin Landscape Association (LANABLA) Paul Ruoya attributed the increase in human-wildlife conflict around Lake Naivasha to encroachment on riparian land by farmers and the blocking of wildlife corridors by investors.
