The Mountain Journal
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The National Environmental Tribunal visited the controversial installation of an electric fence in Umande ward in Laikipia county that is being opposed by investors establishing tourist hotels along Timau River.
On Monday, the tribunal led by Emmanuel Mumia, the petitioners, and the respondent’s lawyers toured the controversial fence through Muramati, Nginyii, and Koita Farm along the Timau river banks.
During the visit to the controversial fence being installed by Lolldaiga Valley PLC and Lolldaiga Hills Limited to block wildlife from damaging the food crops in the human settlement. Matter has been before the tribunal since November last year.
Some of the petitioners responding to the questions from the tribunal indicated they were not opposed to the installation of the electric fence.
Mr Mumia said if the petitioners want to benefit from the fence they should change the land user from farming to wildlife conservancy.
“To be allowed to install the electric fence they are duty-bound to apply for a license from Nema and KWS if they are interested in keeping wildlife,” said Mumia.
The locals in the public sessions have expressed support for the installation of the electric fence after three decades of their crops being destroyed by the elephants and buffalos.
The petitioners who lodged the civil case are LollDaiga Southern Border Land Group, Retired Maj General Antony Maritim Rob, Aadil Vaian, Carol Muhia, Ashminder Kaur, Thomas Donald White, Dr Hilde Van Leuwee, Abdi Dara, Nicholas Sadron and Susan Weeks are opposed to the installation of the electric fence along the Timau River bank.
The matter will be mentioned on February 27.
