This archive report was first published on 8 September 2019.
On September 10, 2019, the Kenyan government announced a special offer for delegates attending the 2nd Arid and Semi-Arid Lands Conference: free entry to the Amboseli National Park.
The conference, which is expected to attract over 2,000 visitors, aims to create a platform for prioritizing and realigning ASALs development with national development priorities.
According to Devolution and ASALs Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, all 29 counties classified as arid and semi-arid will participate and showcase their successes in accelerating economic growth.
Locals are optimistic that they will get a chance to sell their Maasai traditional ornaments to the visitors, making it the first conference to be held in the region.
However, the conference has been overshadowed by a separate issue in Athi village, Juja, where residents are decrying increasing cases of hyena attacks.
Residents are demanding that the Kenya Wildlife Service prevents the hyena's from straying into their villages, as the stray animals have been preying on their livestock and killing at least 30 goats, sheep, and cows.
