KWS Compensates Community for Land

After 32 years of haggling and negotiations the Kenya Wildlife Service has finally compensated Chematich United Farmers Co. Ltd and Mr. Ibrahim Okello for the parcel of land they forfeited during the establishment of Saiwa Swamp National Park in 1974.

The Compensation, which amounted to Ksh. 5.5 million ($73,333) was given to the representative of the Chematich United Farmers and Mr. Okello, by the KWS Director Julius Kipng’etich during a colorful ceremony held at the Kenya Wildlife Service Headquarters in Nairobi.

Saiwa Swamp National Park, which occupies an estimated 2.9Km², and is arguably Kenya’s smallest National Park, was gazetted as a protected area in 1974. It is during this period of establishment that some 50 acres of Chematich United Farmers Co. Ltd. land and 4.5 acres of Mr. Ibrahim Okello’s land was acquired by the government for the purpose of establishing the Park on the understanding that the farmers would be compensated.

Presenting the cheques, the director thanked the two groups for their forbearance during which management was engaged in discussions noting that after many years of negotiations the chicks had finally come home to roost. He also took the opportunity to call upon more communities to work hand in hand with KWS for conservation and protection of the country’s dwindling wildlife populations.

Saiwa Swamp National park is globally reknown because of the population it holds of the endangered Sitatunga (Tragelaphus Spekei), a secretive antelope commonly found in wetlands. The park is also home to the rare De Brazza Monkeys, the Colobus, Sykes and a plethora of over 300 water birds.

The park, which is some 385 kilometers northwest as the crow flies from Nairobi, is a lush green paradise that many people see as a conservation island in the sea of cultivation. According to records, Saiwa Swamp formed part of what was once a colonial era farm, but after Independence, a group of local Wildlife Enthusiasts turned the swamp – a known crown crane - breeding zone, into a bird sanctuary.

Saiwa Swamp National Park and Ruma National Park are among the parks listed for branding in this financial year a move that is aimed towards improving service delivery to tourists and raising the park standards to World Class levels.

If you have never been through the Western Kenya Tourism Circuit, its time to have a plunge! Saiwa Swamp National Park is one haven you are missing!!

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