The dispute between Taita Taveta county and Kenya Wildlife services on revenue collection from the Tsavo National park might take longer to be solved after the Ministry of tourism representatives failed to show during a select committee that was tasked to discuss the issues raised and come up with recommendations on resolving the conflict under the intervention of the Intergovernmental technical committee (IGRTC) through intergovernmental Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism between the parties.
The meeting that was set to kick off at IGRTC offices in Nairobi to solve a dispute in which Taita Taveta county has accused KWS for failing to have a share in the revenue collected in Tsavo East and Tsavo West National park in which the county cites that 62% of the county’s land is within the two parks and does not collect reasonable revenue from the proceeds of tourism.
Speaking after meeting the select committee from Taita Taveta County, IGRTC Acting Chairman John Burugu expressed disappointment in the way the Ministry of tourism was treating the matter. He says the conflict on revenue sharing is key between the National and County governments failure by one party to commit its self through Alternative dispute resolution.
Burugu says it’s unfortunate that the ministry which had indicated to corporate by committing to send a team of experts to deal with the discussions in finding an amicable way to solve the dispute refused to turn up without formal communication saying it’s important that government agencies respect set up rules and regulations in serving citizens urging the ministry of tourism to honor the invitation to resolve the conflict.
IGRTC chairperson in charge of Alternative dispute resolution Alfred Khang’ati says they will not relent in resolving the dispute saying failure by the ministry to send a delegation will stall the process saying they are disappointed in the way the ministry of tourism and wildlife has been treating the conflict calling on those concerned to respect the ADR process that has been provided for in law which is part of the judicial process in solving intergovernmental conflicts.
Failure to corporate amounts to contempt according to Khang’ati who says for the sake of resolving the dispute they will be making another attempt to bring the two parties together. Taita Taveta County secretary Liverson Mghendi who led officials from the county urged the ministry to show good will saying as a county they are committed to the process.
The secretary says the technical committee was ready to engage in a fruitful discussion that will see the people of Taita Taveta get their fair share saying political intrigues will not deter their push in demanding for their rights saying its one of the historical injustices that they are looking on IGRTC to solve.
On February 8th a team of IGRTC toured the county on a fact-finding mission where both parties agreed to avail representatives to form a select committee that will lead discussions in resolving the matter.