General
July was, for the most part, very dry, with a few isolated showers to settle the dust. However, there was a very heavy smoke haze and poor visibility for much of the month, caused by fires in the Main Reserve and Northern Serengeti.
The youth movement in Kenya known as Gen-Z caused major disruptions throughout the Country in their attempt to get more inclusion, transparency and accountability in Government. It started as a movement to reject the Finance Bill 2024, in particular proposed taxes on the poor – it was seen as taxing the poor to further enrich the elite. It then morphed into something far bigger after the Government’s heavy handed approach to dealing with what started as peaceful demonstrations. The President managed to defuse the situation by incorporating members of one section of the Opposition; members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), into Government, by giving them four key ministerial positions.
We completed the lower bridge at Purungat and Governor Ntutu officially opened it on the 25th.
Collaboration Agreement
We completed seven self-contained rooms at Keekorok and have started on a second set of six rooms after demolishing two of the old houses.
The borehole at Look Out was re-cased, flushed and deepened after we found that there was insufficient water to cater for the huge demand on the toilets. There were times when over 70 vehicles were there and long queues waiting to use the toilets.
We completed all major roads in the Reserve and have been working on secondary roads, including the roads to Enkewa and Elewana camps. The road to Enkewa was in a terrible state and caused significant damage to our equipment – especially the tippers.
We had to overhaul a grader engine after an oil pump failed. We also overhauled a tipper gearbox and shovel transmission.
We connected water to the new Operations Room at Keekorok from the borehole.
We have sold two old Land Cruisers on behalf of the County, these were ex-ambulances. We intend to sell more and purchase one new vehicle for the Warden.
We have started cutting grass tracks in the Main Mara and have completed the sector around Musiara.
Staff
We are extremely saddened to report the death of Francis Kaiyoni, killed by a buffalo whilst on duty near Ngiro-are on the 6th July. I had known Francis since 1999, when he worked for Andy and the late Willie Roberts. He was part of our road team and was aways cheerful and hard working. Our commiserations to the family and his many friends.
We have agreed to purchase 150 Kg a month of beef for the staff – this is provided with the rations on the 15th of each month.
Two of our rangers were awarded for exemplary service at the World Ranger Day celebration held at Mara North. Congratulations to Cpl Jennifer Dikirr and Joseph Tago. The Chief Guest was Governor Ntutu and the celebration was held at Mara North.
We have virtually completed the staff appraisals – everyone was awarded a 5% salary increase in July. Some may receive more , depending on their appraisal.
Wildlife
The first wildebeest started crossing into the Mara from Tanzania by mid-July and on the 20th we had the first river crossings into the Triangle. There were large concentrations in the Main Reserve and in the Triangle they were mainly concentrated in the South Western corner.
Dogs
Our new puppies are settling down very well.
Tourism
The Reserve was very busy during July, possibly not quite as busy as last year – The Gen-Z and increase in Park Fees almost certainly contributed. However, the toilets at Look Out could hardly cope with the hundreds, at times thousands of people visiting it each day. We had to replace three toilets, taps, hand wash dispensers and door handles. It is amazing how few people even care about property.
The County Executive for Tourism instructed us not to collect Park Fees from clients based outside the Reserve and flying in balloons within the Reserve, as long as they exited after breakfast. His rationale: they had paid through their agents. It was aimed at people residing in camps on the Conservancies surrounding the Reserve. This is already being abused and is very difficult to administer. There is another rule that says “clients do not have to pay Park Fees on their day of departure and long as they are out of the Reserve by 11.00 am”. It was supposed to allow people to check out from their lodge or camp and have ample time to drive through the Reserve – no game drives. The new directive is now being used by clients to have a balloon ride, plus breakfast inside the Reserve, on their day of departure – without paying Park Fees.
Security
We were asked to stop patrolling the Northern Serengeti by the Sector Warden. We are trying to seek further clarification, but understand that there is an investigation on human rights abuses. We have always been exceptionally careful in this regard but our collaboration has resulted in the arrest of over 5,000 people and the locals would be delighted to have us stop patrolling.
One person was arrested on the third, as he and three companions were setting snares.
Four wire snares were recovered at Maji ya Suya, right on the boundary, on the 25th. One buffalo and one wildebeest had been killed.
Revenue and Accounts
Our draft, unaudited accounts for the financial year ending in June show that we had received 55% more revenue than we had budgeted for – Park Fees and balloon royalties were the major source of the increase. Our expenditure was 25% higher than budget. We ended the year with a cash surplus of Ksh 60,000,000 (60 million or US$ 460,000 at the current rate of exchange). A summary of the Cash flow is presented below.
It is difficult to make an accurate prediction for the new financial year but the increase in Park Fees to US$ 200 for non-residents has already had a huge impact on revenue. The Kanya Shilling was on a roller coaster last year it depreciated to Ksh 160 to the $ before rallying to around Ksh 130. What will happen is anyone’s guess but we can expect more stability and possibly a slight devaluation.
The past financial year was the first year in which we passed the Ksh 1 billion mark (a fraction under US$ 10 million). The total revenue collected in 2023/24 was Ksh 1,276,910,513, of which the County received Ksh 741,541,469 – slightly more that their allocated share of Ksh 702,300,782. Most of these funds – Ksh 557,835,989 - were used in supporting projects on behalf of the County, with most of it going to roads. Other expenses included housing, water supply, radios, workshops, administration rations and uniforms. The balance was sent by RTGS to the County.
Repaires & Maintenance
We installed StarLink at Nigro-are and the Iseiya Warden’s office, we will have to increase our solar and batteries to cope.
We Completed working on the roads to Ngiro-are, they had been very badly damaged in the rains and had become virtually impassable.
We graded the roads on Oloololo game Ranch and will patch sections in August.
Designated a number of picnic trees and cut the grass around them.
The Board approved the purchase of: two Toyota Land Cruiser pick-ups, three Suzuki Jimnys and a back-hoe loader. We have ordered and paid for all but one Land Cruiser. The JCB back-hoe has already been delivered.
We completed cutting grass, game viewing tracks in the Triangle. It took one month.
Report on focus for July
Focus for August
· Receive new vehicles;
· Sell back-hoe and old vehicles;
· Possibly drill at hippo pool and Kilo 2;
· Deploy speed cameras;
· Continue with road works around Oloololo; and
· Erect additional compound for the cheetah cub.
Work on Collaboration Agreement
· Connect water to the new Operations room;
· Road team to take two weeks off;
· Work on minor roads;
· Continue to cut game viewing tracks;
· Instal new signs;
· Order uniforms for rangers;
· Complete bore-hole at Sekenani;
· Continue with new housing at Keekorok;
· Provide solar for completed housing at Keekorok;
· Deploy new speed cameras;
· Support reconstruction of bridge over the Talek; and
· Purchase 50,000 litres fuel for the County.