Rangers to be supported with equipment and supplies to enhance Anti-Poaching activities in the at Tsavo and Maasai Mara ecosystem – 31/07/2023.

This year’s World Rangers Day was marked at the Sekenani Gate in Narok County with calls to improve on the welfare of the rangers as an incentive   to facilitate protection and the conservation of the ecosystem.

The project officer for the Combating Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trafficking, in the State Department for Wildlife, Netty Jemutai appreciated the Maasai community for co-existing with wildlife and taking care of the heritage.

Speaking during occasion to mark the World Rangers’ Day in Narok County, Jemutai said the project that has been running for the last three years in Tsavo and Maasai Mara Ecosystems is working towards the protection and the conservation of wildlife.

The officer explained that through the project, 3 motor vehicles and 10 motorcycles were purchased for use in the Maasai Mara ecosystem to enhance anti-poaching activities in the landscape. She said the project also purchased uniforms and equipment for rangers and also supported the development of the Greater Masai Mara Ecosystem Management Plan which is currently a legal document and is being implemented.

The Narok County Governor, Patrick Ntutu, said the rangers need to be equipped and provided with good housing, clean water and job promotion to enable the officers perform their work effectively.

The Chief Warden at the Maasai Mara game reserve, Steven Minis, said the working condition of rangers have been improved. Minis said rangers have received two pairs of uniforms, modern housing units installed with solar panels and that renovations have been done in other facilities in the park.

The chief Warden noted that clean piped water is now accessible within the park where the rangers reside, adding that a good road network has been constructed to ease the operation in the park.

Minis commended the national and the County governments for providing motor vehicles for patrols through purchased new land cruisers and repair of more than 20 other motor vehicles for patrols.

Rangers play a critical role in providing security for both wildlife and tourists at the reserves. The rangers also ensure that the ecology of the parks is preserved and interact with the community to enhance mutual relations in the protection and conservation of the ecosystem.