Court stops closure of Mara Ngenche Safari Camp
Narok High Court has issued a temporary order to stop National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) from closing a controversial camp sitting on the corridors of wildebeest migratory path in the Masai Mara Game Reserve.
The move comes after owners of the Mara Ngenche Safari Camp moved to court claiming that they have a legitimate fear that the luxurious camp is in danger of being closed.
Through lawyer Mohammed Abdullahi, the owners asked the court to issue orders restraining the State agency from interfering with the facility until their case is heard and determined.
In his ruling, the Environment and Land Court Judge Justice Mohamed Kullow granted the camp the order to continue operating, nullifying the directive issued by Nema on September 17, to shut down the facility.
He directed the applicant to file and serve a substantive motion within 21 days, which the respondents were also directed to file a response in 21 days thereafter.
The case will be mentioned on October 22. Last Wednesday, Nema closed the camp for allegedly blocking the migration of wildebeests trying to cross the river in the park.
Speaking when he toured the camp, Nema chairman John Konchellah (above) said the camp would immediately close all operations until a full environmental impact assessment study is done to determine its suitability.
