PEP leader Mwakesi pushes for law to guarantee national park revenue for host counties

Speaking in Mbololo, Voi, Mwakesi said he was not advocating for the transfer of Tsavo National Park's management to the county government, but rather an automatic revenue-sharing framework anchored in law instead of presidential directives or the discretion of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

"We are not asking to manage Tsavo. We want the law to state clearly what share of its revenue belongs to Taita Taveta and its people," he said.

While the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act provides that communities neighbouring national parks should receive at least five per cent of the benefits, Mwakesi argued that Kenya requires a more comprehensive legal framework specifying the proportion of park revenue to be shared, payment timelines and accountability mechanisms.

He pointed to the recent dispute over revenue from Amboseli National Park, where a presidential directive and a subsequent deed provided for revenue sharing with Kajiado County, but disagreements over implementation ultimately ended up in court.

"What happened in Amboseli shows why these revenues cannot depend on the goodwill of a President or the inaction of KWS," Mwakesi said. "A clear national law would protect every county hosting a park and prevent unnecessary court battles."

Mwakesi also urged KWS to strengthen its response to human-wildlife conflict, saying communities bordering Tsavo National Park continue to bear the burden of conservation.

He cited the recent lion invasion in Mbololo, which left residents living in fear and resulted in livestock losses.

"When lions leave the park, it is our people and their livelihoods that are placed at risk. KWS must respond quickly and compensate affected families," he said.

The PEP leader further criticised the Taita Taveta County Government over persistent water shortages, questioning why residents continue to face water scarcity despite the county being home to Mzima Springs.

"We cannot have Mzima Springs in Taita Taveta while our homes and farms remain dry and the water serves other areas," he said. "TAVEVO and Coast Water must stop giving excuses and provide our people with reliable water."

Mwakesi, who intends to contest the Taita Taveta governorship on a PEP ticket in the 2027 General Election, said his agenda would focus on food security, improved healthcare, quality education and job creation.