Narok Senator Ledama OleKina has vehemently dismissed a damning media report on the state of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, branding the coverage as “jealous and lazy nonsense.” The rebuke comes amid renewed conservation fears ignited by a viral video appearing to show wildebeest migration disrupted by new development.
A report by The Standard on December 10 alleged the reserve is facing its gravest threats in decades, citing land grabs by powerful individuals, poisoned wildlife, blocked migration corridors, and violent community conflicts. “Predators are being killed, habitats carved up, and communities pushed into violent protests,” the report stated, accusing influential figures of seizing land at the heart of the reserve.
The report further claimed that over half of the facilities built near riparian land are causing environmental damage, and more than 55% of tourist lodges lack proper ecological impact assessments.
Senator OleKina, however, struck a defiant tone in response. “No matter how hard you try, you’ll never tear down the Maasai Mara. Stop your jealous, lazy reporting; we see through your nonsense,” he said, emphasizing the park’s resilience.
Controversy flared again on November 22, 2025, when a video circulated online showing a herd of wildebeest hesitating and turning back during their annual migration. The footage suggested a new safari lodge—identified as the Ritz-Carlton Safari Camp—was acting as a human-made barrier on a vital corridor between the Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti.
Conservationists and local leaders quickly condemned the development, arguing it obstructs a critical wildlife pathway. In a statement on November 27, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) moved to clarify the situation, describing the claims as “misleading.” KWS confirmed the lodge is situated within a designated low-use tourism investment zone, as permitted under the official Maasai Mara National Reserve Management Plan (2023–2032).
The agency reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the iconic wildebeest migration, calling it “one of the most globally celebrated natural phenomena.”
Despite official assurances, the incident has spotlighted ongoing tension between tourism investment and conservation in one of Africa’s most famous wildlife sanctuaries. With the Narok county government reported to have collected over KSh4 billion in park fees in 2023, the balancing act between revenue, development, and preserving the Mara’s ecological integrity remains a fiercely debated challenge.
