Kenya Wildlife Service has noted public concern over the planned Capital FM- sponsored Koroga Festival dubbed ‘the Naivasha Love Edition’ in Hells Gate National Park in Naivasha in February 2020 and wishes to clarify the situation as follows:
Over the years we have held more than 20 successful events in the park, including "To Hells Gate on a Wheelbarrow" and " Safaricom Jazz Festival" without significant damage to the biodiversity in the park. This is largely because unlike other wildlife-based national parks, Hells Gate National Park is an activity-based conservation and recreation facility renowned for cycling, rock climbing, horse riding, camping, walking, sight-seeing and event hosting.
As a matter of fact, the park has sites designated for hosting events where insecurity and disturbance of wildlife is minimised. We also have clear regulations for the event organisers, including timing, noise levels and clean-up after events.
As part of sustainability and mitigation for ecological footprint, some funds raised from events held in the park are ploughed back to support conservation and community development.
As guardians of Kenya’s national parks, we reassure the public of our utmost commitment to maintaining the ecological integrity of these conservation and recreation facilities.
PAUL UDOTO
For: DIRECTOR GENERAL
