Senator Ledama alleges misuse of county funds in Narok

Narok,

Monday, January 8, 2024

KNA by Ann Salaton

Narok County Senator Ledama Ole Kina has raised concerns over the issuing of tenders in the county government alleging they only benefit Governor Patrick Ntutu’s family.

Speaking at his Eor Ekule home in Narok East Sub County, Senator Ole Kina alleged that a recent Sh 1.6 billion tender to procure earth-moving machines was awarded to the governor’s family without consulting the people through public participation forums.

“I have written to the governor requesting an explanation on the same. I have given him 21 days which are expiring on the 13th of this month to account for the Sh 1.6 billion that was budgeted by the county,” he said.

He also raised a red-flag on the World-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve collections accusing the governor of raising the entry fee without consultation.

Ole Kina wondered why Governor Ntutu raised the entry fees to US200 dollars and bed fees to USD 80, for foreigners, without public participation saying the move has led to cancellation of over 60 per cent July bookings.

“We have seen the President reducing visa entry fees to allow more tourists in the country yet our governor is chasing away the same tourists by increasing the Maasai Mara National Reserve entry fees without consultation. This is unacceptable,” reiterated Ole Kina.

The second term senator disclosed that the greater Mara Ecosystem has 46 camps that are illegally allocated, challenging the governor to explain who owns the camps.

“Most of the money collected from the park goes to the governor’s pockets. The Chief Park Administrator is under strict instructions to physically collect cash. We want the governor to explain this,” he said, alleging that the move has been a threat to 117 camps at the Mara that are owned by the locals.

The Narok County government tripled entry fees to Maasai Mara National Reserve in October 2023, with the new rates expected to take effect from January 2024.

Kenyan adult citizens will now pay Sh 3, 000 from Sh 1, 000 while children and students will pay Sh 1, 000 from Sh 300. The Narok residents will however pay Sh 2000 for adults and Sh 500 for children above 10 years while those below 10 years will gain free entry.

For the East African residents, the fees will rise from Sh1, 200 to Sh 4, 500 for adults while children and students will pay Sh 2, 000 from Sh 500.

The rates for foreigners on the other hand increased to US100 dollars between January and June and US 200 dollars the rest of the year.

Nevertheless, Ole Kina’s claims come at a time when the County’s revenue collection rose from Sh 1.3 billion in 2022 to Sh 3.1 billion in 2023, according to the report by the Controller of Budget (CoB).

The report shows that Mombasa, Narok, Kiambu and Machakos counties surpassed their collection targets as compared to the previous financial year.

The report showed that the four counties each collected more than Sh 2 billion within a period of nine months.

Courtesy; KNA