By Debra Rono
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has officially denied claims regarding the existence of mining activities within Tsavo East National Park.
In statement release, the KWS, has made clarification on allegations of conducting mining activities in the aforementiontioned national park.
“We wish to clarify that the images being shared online are not from the said Tsavo East National Park and that there are no mining activities taking place there,” stated KWS.
In the information shared online, an online user circulated images of large canals
Regarding the images of large canals that circulated online,KWS has noted that the images in question were taken at Galana Ranch, where the Galana Kulalu Food Security Project which is located adjacent to Tsavo National Park adding that it falls under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Irrigation and aims to bolster food security in the nation.
“The images being shared are from the Galana Kulalu Food Security Project, located in Galana Ranch managed by the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC), which is adjacent to Tsavo East National Park,” the statement read in part.
KWS elaborated that the canals depicted in the online images were constructed to facilitate water flow for irrigation purposes.
“This project is being spearheaded by the State Department of Irrigation and is aimed at enhancing food security in Kenya through large-scale irrigation and sustainable farming practices. As part of the program, canals are being constructed to facilitate water flow into irrigation farms,” added the statement.
KWS reaffirmed its commitment to the conservation and protection of national parks and wildlife.