Fresh war of words after tickets for Maasai Mara go electronic

The use of an electronic ticketing system at the Maasai Mara Game reserve has sparked off a wave of protests that have roped in a local bank, political heavyweights, Narok County Council and an NGO.

As the blame-games went on, Parliament continued to investigate a 10-year contract entered into between Narok County Council and Equity Bank, with Heritage Minister William Ole Ntimama backing the deal.

The two institutions had entered into the deal earlier this year in a move expected to improve revenue collection at the national reserve.

On Wednesday, Mr Ntimama, who appeared before the Local Authorities Committee led by Kinangop MP David Ngugi, sensationally claimed that those opposed to the deal may have been beneficiaries of proceeds from many years of looting at the park, which the minister was now trying to stop.

He was responding to questions from Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny, a member of the committee, who had asked whether it was true that those opposed to the electronic ticketing system had vested interests.

“The Mara has been looted for so many years as the government watches. It appears as if the government decided to close its eyes on the matter,” Mr Ntimama said at Parliament Buildings.

“Those opposed to this project must have been beneficiaries of graft there. We have to stop this looting so that the locals can benefit from the Mara, for if it is not protected, it will be dangerous to the country,” he said.

He spoke as Narok County Council chairman Jackson ole Kamoye announced that the new system is now operational.

Mr Kamoye cautioned local tour operators that the electronic smart card would be the only way they would pay for and gain entry into the Mara, and they should advice their clients accordingly.

He praised the electronic system as more convenient than the manual system it is replacing. The system would ease payment of gate fees and access to the world renowned park, he said.

“All persons visiting the Maasai Mara Game Reserve will be required to get Maasai Mara Smart Cards from selected Equity Bank outlets before embarking on a trip to the Mara,” he said.

He added that the e-ticketing system would increase the council’s revenue collection.

“The system is being introduced as a measure to cub corruption in gate collection, since the council has been losing a lot of revenue to unscrupulous individuals who would pilfer the money,” he said.

But a section of residents are firmly against the system, and are questioning the means by which a local bank was chosen to be the sole collector of gate revenues on behalf of the council for the next 10 years.

On Wednesday, hundreds of people took to the streets, expressing their dissatisfaction with the new e-ticketing system.

A string of demonstrations instigated by a civil society organisation, the Narok County Congress, have previously been held outside the gates of the world-renowned game reserve. They have crippled operations with protesters denying visitors access into and out of the park.

Narok South MP Nkoidillah Ole Lankas, who is among those opposing the project, has accused the bank of overstretching consent granted by the contract to entrench itself as a revenue collector on behalf of the council.

The MP has wondered why the council went into a contract with a 10-year life span when the county governments were expected to take over after the next elections.

Dependable revenue

“If this deal is not reversed, then Narok County will have no dependable revenue, as all its fortunes rest in the Mara,” he was recently quoted as saying.

Equity Bank’s chief executive officer James Mwangi has denied that it was collecting all revenue for the council.

Dr Mwangi differed with the Narok South MP, who has also appeared before House committee to shed light on the contract for the supply, installation and commissioning of a Pre-Paid Smart Card System for its revenue collection at the Maasai Mara National Park.

The bank was supposed to do all these within three months, but the contract has not yet been commissioned eight months down the line.

Congress chairman George ole Narok, has said the protesters were not merely against the new system, but the manner in which it had been introduced, and cited lack of transparency. He said tendering did not follow due process, and the public was not invited to witness.

But Mr Ntimama insists many banks tendered their proposals, and Equity won fair and square.

House Speaker Kenneth Marende had earlier this month ordered a House committee to carry out “an in-depth interrogation” of the contract.

On Wednesday, Mr Ngugi, the committee chairman, said that they would continue investigating, and would leave no stone unturned.

“We have already interrogated officials from the Narok County Council, Equity Bank and others,” he said. “We will also be visiting the Maasai Mara”.

He warned the parties they will not favour any side while making recommendations, saying: “We are an independent committee of Parliament... All the parties involved in this saga should know that.”