Tourism Minister Najib Balala has ordered for the removal of a camp built beside the Mara River, blocking the wildebeest crossing.
In a viral video shared by tourists, the staff of the unnamed camp are seen chasing away wildebeests trying to cross the river.
“It is very disturbing and we expect Narok Governor Samuel Tunai to take action and have the camp removed,” he said in a Facebook post.
Investigations show that there are tens of tented camps and lodges operating illegally in Maasai Mara National Reserve.
The Minister said he had had talks with Narok County Governor Samuel Tunai on the same for swift action.
The reserve is managed by the County Government of Narok through the Narok County Council in the eastern side and Trans-Mara County Council on the western side.
Camps and lodges congestion has diminished the reserve’s chances of survival despite being a prime global tourist destination.
The camps are located along the Mara River, Talek River, Olkeju Rongai River and Sand River.
A tourism operator said human activities inside the reserve have led to the death of migration corridors such as Loita crossing point.
The hotel manager, who sought anonymity for fear of victimization, said the reserve lacks concrete policy guidelines.
“I have also insisted that we need a Maasai Mara National Reserve Management Plan to protect migratory corridors,” said Mr Balala.
in 2017, Narok county threatened not to issue licences for the construction of new facilities within and outside the 1,526-kilometre ecosystem.
Nakuru-based environmental activist James Wakibia said some facilities were built with no prior environmental impact assessment audits.
“Some camps on the river banks are using hazardous materials to prevent erosion. That should not be condoned,” said Mr Wakibia.