This archive report was first published on 21 May 2020.
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, Kenya's wildlife sanctuaries are facing unprecedented challenges. The Oserengoni Wildlife Sanctuary in Naivasha, a haven for over 27 different wildlife species, is one such sanctuary that has been severely impacted.
According to John Ndegwa, the manager of the sanctuary, the pandemic has brought tourism to a standstill, leaving the sanctuary struggling to survive. "Conservation is hugely driven by funding that comes through tourism and 80 per cent of our income is dependent on this," Ndegwa explains.
The sanctuary, which covers 20,000 acres of land, relies heavily on tourism for funding. However, with travel restrictions in place, the sanctuary has seen a significant decline in visitors. Ndegwa fears that if the situation does not improve, the consequences could be disastrous, particularly for the local community that relies on the sanctuary for employment.
With the sanctuary employing 150 people directly and another 700 indirectly, Ndegwa is concerned that if the country does not get back to normalcy, the sanctuary may be forced to lay off staff. "Unlike Laikipia where conservancies can expand, we have no luxury of space as we are sandwiched between the lake, an expanding town and other economic interests," Ndegwa says.
The sanctuary has implemented various strategies to engage with the local community, including a bursary programme, provision of clean water, and education programmes. However, Ndegwa warns that if the situation does not improve, there could be a backlash from the local community.
