BRINGING BACK THE RHINO TO ISIOLO GAME RESERVES
Isiolo county government has requested the national government to be allowed to bring back the rhino into its national game reserve four decades after they were withdrawn from the area due to increased poaching.
Silvia museiya kihoro, principal secretary state department for wildlife said that Isiolo was among the areas that are being considered as having great potential to host the rhinoceros which is an endangered species.
Speaking during the celebration of world rhinos’ day the PS said that Meru and Laikipia and Samburu counties have rhinos in their sanctuaries and it was the high time to come up with strategies to ensure they are brought.
According to the PS lack of insecurity has been the main issue considered before deciding where the rhinos should be kept since they are endangered.
The PS also assured Isiolo resident whose claims have not been paid by the government as a result of human wildlife conflict that the government was fast racking the payments.
The PS said that the presence of rhinos would boost the tourism sector and the security of the areas where they are kept which in turn would also be beneficial for residents in terms of boosting local economies.
PDH. Lawrence Mwongera the CEC for Tourism in Isiolo county blamed rampant poaching and insecurity in Isiolo for the disappearance of the rhino four decades ago, an absence which he said has affected not only the biodiversity but also the livelihoods of local populations which depend on revenue obtained from tourism.
He explained that bringing back the rhino would help boost the local tourism and help improve the livelihood opportunities for local residents.
He said Isiolo strategic placement as a tourist destination makes the county deserving to have a tourism product like the rhino sighting that it would also boost cultural tourism. According to Mwongera the county government was committed to adhering to the national rhino strategy and would work with KWS, National conservation partners to see to it that the rhino was finally brought back to Basanadi game reserve.