The Civil society faction would like the GSU police officers who were dropped in the Masai Mara game reserve the previous month under the pretext of ensuring the safety of the tourists from being hurt by the angry protestors who are not in favor of the use of smart card revenue collection system at the Mara gates.

The demonstrators who have been throwing all tourists out of the reserve claim the Narok County Council did not even discuss with them the matter before setting up the system. The civil society faction also requests the police to pullout fictitious story they have against the protesters who had been accused of participating in the protests. There are also community leaders who have asked to have the electronic ticketing machines uninstalled and first discuss with all stakeholders.

Ken Wafula chair person National Council of NGOs in Kenya said that the council was given a grace period of two weeks to sort out the disagreement over this system failure to do so, they will  organize local people and urge them to keep the fire burning.

He was quoted saying, “We asked the GSU officers be taken out of the park and also have a civil discussion with the residents and other responsible bodies about the system sort that all the problems going on can end immediately”. The NGO council referred to this contract between Narok County Council and Equity Bank undemocratic.

Mr Wafula said that it is a very goo idea to improve on the revenue by installation of electronic systems could be appropriate but see up to it the it does not make others lives un.

He said they need to have the contract above board and that means they do not need to mistreat any Kenyan resident like they have been arresting and trying them in court for no reason while the police was stopping them from airing out their concerns.

Mr Wafula is also the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy executive director, he said that Article 10 (2) (a) of the Constitution stresses people’s involvement in decisions in matters that affect them. The revenue will be collected from the residents and so the Constitution gives all supreme power to the people to be consulted before making any decision.

GORILLA SAFARI NEWS

According to the statistics presented on Tuesday, the rate at which the elephants are decreasing in two wildlife sanctuaries in Tanzania is almost 42% in a period of three years due to the fact that there is a high rate of poaching resulting from the demand for their tusks. There was a general counting of elephants done the east African country’s wildlife authority, Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute as a government measurement to preserve wildlife in two parks which included the Selous Game Reserve and Mikumi National Park  and the results indicated that the  numbers of elephants  had fall from 74 900 in 2006 to 43 552 in 2009.

The hasty fall impelled President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania to order his cabinet to carry out an investigation as mentioned by his office last Tuesday. Conservation fraternity said that Tanzania has a total number of elephant of approximate 110 000 to 140 00 which makes it one of the biggest sanctuaries that Africa has got. Unfortunately Tanzania and Kenya have faced the many poaching related cases in the latest years where so many elephants have been killed as well as rhinos to get tusks and horns which are on demand in Asia.

The TRAFFIC conservation group that trails patterns in wildlife trading stated last week that in the year 2011there have been several cases where ivory has been captured from illegal exporters. Therefore the course for the elephant poaching in Africa is to get the tusks that are highly demanded in Asia to make jewelry and ornaments. Elephants which is the largest land mammals in the whole world, aside from being killed every now and then, they are also being forced to migrate from one location to another in many part of the world due to human activities, pollution and climate change. The conservationists say that the number has reduced to 470 000 – 685 000 from millions in the past decades.

Kikwete also asked the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute to inspect the vanishing of the exceptional Roosevelt’s sable antelope from national parks, and to find means of finding another and take to any of the parks. The previous Convention on International Trade in those that are in danger of extinction(CITES) in 2007 accepted to a nine-year suspension on the export of ivory following the 105 tons of elephant ivory that were sold from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe to China and Japan.

GORILLA SAFARI NEWS

The first round statistics compiled during the weekend got from normally knowledgeable sources showed that the tourism sector has already surpassed coffee and tea growing sector which has been the major source of to Rwanda’s foreign exchange but now tourism is and it is the very year that Rwanda has got the highest number of visitors ever.

This is resulting from the enlarged communication set-up and improved number of flight by the Rwanda Air which is the national airline, for example there are 6 flights to Dubai in week, there are those heading to Kigali by KLM, and some from Amsterdam to Rwanda having a short stop over in Entebbe / Uganda 5 times in a week. The increases in the flight has enabled so many tourists to travel from different parts of the world and come visit the country popularly known as the land of a thousand hills.

More to that is the fact that the tourism agents have got very good customer care and marketing ability by a combination of private and public sector supporter.  They always make it appoint to attend all important international tourism trade exhibitions and become members of the International Council of Tourism Partners  hence another reason for  Rwanda’s amazing success in the field.  The additional accommodation facilities in the capital city Kigali and in the major upcountry places also played an important role this time where by they helped to reduce on the stress like the case was the preceding years when the hotels were all occupied and the visitors had no where to sleep and therefore had to cancel their trips to Rwanda and therefore the country then missed out on large amount of money due to large of accommodation.

The Initial target is being able to earn about US Dollars 216 million but hopefully it has been surpassed in 2011 since the results have not yet been compiled. The Conference tourism and new tourism attractions like the bird trails done out of the parks and the Congo Nile Trail have also add value to the activities done and CNT will be in action in 2012 during the personal relations campaign. Well done to the all stake holders in the Rwanda tourism sectors.

GORILLA SAFARI NEWS

There are several police officers who were sent out to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve to ensure the safety of all the tourists who are visiting the game reserve especially during the festive season. They were sent to save tourists from harm the angry protestors might inflict on them after the introduction of an electronic revenue collection method.

Joseph Nkadado the chairman Narok County Council said the General Service Unit officers would preserve harmony in the game reserve until the disagreement between the different people related to the  this  new system has been sorted out which they should do immediately. The local people are protesting against the use of the electronic ticketing which the officials in charge of the park say they installed the machine to help reduce on the corruption due to the fact that people will not be handling the money like the case has been in the past.

Mr. Nkadado however said the security people will have to keep the council’s assets safe from being destroyed by the demonstrators since they are the targets.  The Narok South MP Nkoidila oles Lankas last Wednesday lay blame on the Kenyan government for conspiring with the council and Equity Bank to threaten the local residents who were opposing this system.

The council signed and agreement with Equity Bank where the bank was contracted to put in the e-ticketing machines. It is very important that George Saitoti the Minister for Internal Security clarifies why there are 50 GSU officers that have been sent to the game reserve which is an act of threat to the local people.  Said Mr. Lankas

He added that the GSU have been threatening to kill the protestors should they start the demonstration again.  He was quoted saying “Some of the local leaders who are not in favor of the system of  using the e-ticketing machines are now defenseless and we fear the GSU squad has been sent here on a special mission,”.

There are about five councilors spear headed by Mr. Josphat Kerembe who have so far refuse to acknowledge the 10-year revenue collection contract given out to Equity bank. Mr. Kerembe stated that that is no what they approved in the full council meeting because there some section that were not included then.

GORILLA SAFARI TOUR

There were thirty tourists who nearly drowned from Kenyatta Public Beach in Mombasa on the 25^th December 2011 which was the Christmas Day after their boat they were riding capsized into the waters. They were rescued by some fishermen together with the Marine police and the Kenya Wildlife Service rangers who quickly reacted to the accident. Arthur Tuda who is the KWS’ senior warden and the Marine Police officers who rescued these tourists said that the boat that they were riding on was over loaded because it is supposed to carry a maximum of 15 passengers but this time it was carrying 30 people when the accident occurred.

Mr. Tuda mentioned that the boat begun to overturn in just two marine miles away from the beach resulting from the fact that I was carrying more people than its carrying capacity and he added that there are so many people at the coast who disobey marine regulations and they end up facing problems like such. They had rented the boat to go to the Marine Park for a sea tour.

The MV Mullah boat has currently been prohibited from undertaking any operations along the Kenyan coastline until the Kenya Maritime Authority has given it an authorization license.   He said they had to join forces with KWS officers and local fishermen who were around the place to rescue the tourist and lucky enough, they were able to pull all of them out of the ocean while they were all still alive and brought to the shoreline unharmed, said  a marine police officer.

This however instilled a sense of fear among people who use the sea especially those who were at the coast observing as they were rescuing these who had fallen in the ocean something that  took them about an hour from 1pm to 2pm.

In the meantime, there were so many people who stormed the Kenyatta Public Beach to swim and have fun on Sunday and the police reported the largest crowd in so many years which was composed of more than 10,000 people which is the reason why there was tight security at the beach and all people appreciated the police for the adequate services provided.

There have been other threats on the sea in five kilometers away from the Pirates junction to the same beach along the Mombasa-Malindi freeway, police kept vigil and directed vehicles to shun away from traffic jam. They put two road blocks at the way in and just a few cars were permitted enter into the beach area.

A marine police patrol boat, two rubber vessel managed by police, other police officers dressed in plain-clothes and on foot, voluntary community policing members and a police jet kept vigil around the beach. Aggrey Adoli who is the regional police head stated that security was improved after the several intimidations from the Al-Shabaab.

GORILLA SAFARI NEWS

This has been recorded as the very first main new 5 star resort hotel that has been established in the last ten years. It has been opened during the Christmas and New Year festive season at one of Kenya’s best beaches called the Diani Beach located in the southern part of Mombasa creating a lot of joy among the owners of the hotel, the management as well as the guests who have been the very first people to use the this new hotel.

The hotel is composed of about 140 suites and room resort was planned by popular architects from the coast who are the Tibor Gaal and Associates who have been dealing in resorts and hotels development for a number of decades like Kenya’s beaches starting from Malinda to Mombasa and further than that.

This most recent 5 star resort provides roof top terraces for some of the penthouse suites from where the guests with an opportunity to get full view across the resort as well as all the Indian Ocean beaches which cannot be seen from anywhere below that point, the guests are also assured of total privacy and comfort in their own rooms. The hotel has got Four restaurants plus a number of bars highlighting the objective of the Swahili Beach to quickly grab their position in the midst of the most highly praised resorts located along the Kenya coast and a sophisticated Spa established near the beach is most likely to an amazing change for people seeking for a place where they can have the chance get the best treatment while on their vacation and not just to relax.

GORILLA SAFARI NEWS

There are about one million and more tourists that have entered Kenya this year in spite of the fact that there has been several travel advisories, information let out by the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) show. The tourism sector has endured Al-Shabaab’s violent actions and the economic fluctuations and managed to yield remarkable results of about 1,039,852 visitors by the end of October 2012 which is a 16% increase compared to that of last year around the time when they recorded 896,228 visitors arrived.  Kitili Mbath KTB chairman mentioned that this time the industry got Sh81.9 billion while they got Sh56.7 billion last year which is a 44% increase compared to last year’s of the same period.

He said the good yields are as a result of the expansion in the tourism products from the long-established beach and wildlife tourism to sports, culture, conference and eco-tourism. The raise in the number of flights coming from Kenya’s source markets has also been very important in the process for example the number of airlines flying to Mombasa International Airport has increased to 35 yet they were 29 last year although Europe is still the major market grabbing 47% of Kenya’s tourists. The United Kingdom continues being the top country in the continent with 15.8% compared to all in-bound arrivals by air and sea.

The US comes after UK with a 9.6%, and then Italy with 7.5%, Germany 5.5% and lastly India 4.7% but India took over Franc’s position and then became among the top five source markets in June 2011. Mr. Mbathi said there are other markets in Eastern Europe that include Asia and the Middle East which are at 40% growth rate. These include the UAE at 46.8%, Poland at 62.9 %, Russia at 46.6%, Czech Republic at 51.6% and then Hungary at 42.1%.

However in Africa, Uganda is the greatest source of tourists receiving about 36,030 visitors which is 36.5% growth compared to that of 2010 around the same months, it is followed by South Africa with 31,355 visitors and Tanzania takes the 3^rd position with 28,435visitors.

In Asian the leading markets is in China with 33,468 tourists followed by the United Arab Emirate with 16,738 visitors  However, the once profitable cruise ship tourism is on the edge of crumpling if the problem of  piracy is not solved immediately because now ever  Since February, there have been no cruise ship operating in Kenya.

GORILLA SAFARI NEWS

The World Wildlife Fund for Nature have been making arrangement to establish foundation study in Rufiji delta so that they can be able to assist the local people earn an income through REDD but unfortunately, their plans have been not been successful resulting from the burn down of farm huts and cutting down of coconut trees by Mangrove Management Project representatives last October. The Reduced Emission which is apart of the  Deforestation and Degradation and also United Nations programme that gives back  to communities as a way of thanking them for maintaining their forest unharmed which aids the  absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and hence  reduce global warming.

However the cynical local residents from Salale ward at the delta have received WWF’s proposal vigilantly claiming that they welcomed MMP about two decades ago in the same manner but they are right now paying heavily for their decision. Jumanne Kinkumbi who is Chairman of Nyamisati village said that at the time when Mangrove Management people first presented their project to them, they made many pledges including having the locals share on the benefits but at present every things is different and they no longer care about the local people’s interests.

Mr. Kinkumbi said that even though they have heard of beautiful stories about the WWF where they have worked with the communities in reafforestating in areas where mangroves have been cut down almost leaving none, the MMP’s attitude has made them become doubtful of anyone who shows up and wants to associate with villagers to tap their resources. The Village Executive Officer for Nyamisati Saudi Mkumba added that they always receive them with open arms, listened to what ever they have to offer and how their project will benefit the communities which the projects do not do and it is therefore very important to keep in mind that this time, they may need better skills to induce people who are still mad at Mangrove Management Project for all the pain they have caused them and never gave out to the community even a single cent as part of their share from the profits earned like promised.

There are about 10,000 people from Salale ward who lost about 3,000 farm huts at their paddy rice fields last October when MMP officials who were supported by armed policemen attacked their paddy rice fields burnt down huts and cutting down coconut trees trying to drive them out of the forest reserve. This harassment has made their work very difficult because the people are currently bothered by anyone who comes to them although this time they trust they are certain of  the residents’ mission and that they understood their  point very clearly said Professor Shadrack Mwakalla who is the WWF REDD Coordinator from Dar es Salaam.

Prof Mwakalla said that their agenda aims at starting work at Rufiji delta in November but the effort to drive people out by force has brought about fright and confusion hence delayed the operations of the programme.  He said they assured them that WWF is only interested in developing their lives. Our project is participatory and targets to benefit all communities. The WWF REDD project is sponsored by Norwegian government and has worked towards the development of so many other communities.

GORILLA SAFARI NEWS

On our trip to Kenya to find out how the Kenyan the tourism sector is fairing so as to see if this will turn out to be Kenya’s best year in the tourism field ever before, we were also able to get information about the current development of renewal and the improvement of  the Aberdare Country Club. Information about this was first received sometime back at the time when Marasa Kenya commenced their transformation and improvement programme for their three Kenyan possessions, the renovation is in the process and will be ending at around Easter 2012.

The Aberdare Country Clubs 9 whole golf course which is also going through renovations as well to improve on the standards of playing and then establish golf carts to make it simpler to disguise major height variation from one hole to the next. Horse riding will soon be re opened with new stables and better that are still being built so that the visitors have variety to games to choose from while staying at the country club

The owners said the it was their total wish to develop the elegance of the ex- colonial country side home while holding on to the individual feel visitors straight away have when heading to their driving up to the major house thus the reason for why their club has turned out to be successful with getting visitor especially from outside the country much as the those from within Kenya also used the place.

When checked out the new rooms, there are chances that they will be changed to look better. It will definitely be fun at Aberdare Country Club once is completed  with its amazing, comfortable and stylish facilities put in place  for the new look .

It is also important to note that their Sister possessions which are the Ark and the Mara Leisure Camp are also going through a related renovation.

GORILLA SAFARI NEWS

There were about 727 pieces of ivory that were confiscated by the Kenyan Authorities and this container was heading to Asia and one of the customs official mentioned that this was the most recent incident of ivory smuggling in the east African country while the other Customs agents patrolling areas around the Mombasa port said the smuggled goods were carefully  hidden in bags containing of plastic chips but were able to see the ivory after they scanned the cargo just before they could load it on the ship

Rose Gichira, deputy customs commissioner at the port  said last Wednesday  they got  727 bits of ivory and elephant tusks but were unable to tell just  how many elephants had  been killed in the process and the authorities got  many other whole elephant tusks tied together with tape and packed in the sacks.

The Kenya Wildlife Service officials said that Poaching in Kenya had greatly declined between the years of 1980s and 1990s when gangs destroyed its elephants and killed its rhinos to the point of having them almost over in the park but there has been an increase in the number of these animals in several parks in the past few years.  KWS said the world-famous safari destination is now losing approximately 100 elephants in a year due to poaching and many of these poachers are apart of gradually more stylish criminal gangs.

It was not directly clear which part of the country the ivory was got from but Mombasa and the capital, Nairobi, are two of the main way outs for illegal ivory from African and Last month Kenya confiscated 87 elephant tusks packed in a container destined for Hong Kong.

GORILLA SAFARI NEWS