The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has firmly dismissed allegations of ongoing mining operations within Tsavo East National Park, countering social media reports that circulated images purportedly showing large-scale earthworks in the protected area.
The agency clarified that the images, which sparked public concern, do not depict activities within the park but are instead from the Galana Kulalu Food Security Project, an agricultural initiative adjacent to the park.
In a statement released on Monday, KWS emphasized that there is no mining activity within Tsavo East, one of Kenya’s largest and most ecologically significant national parks. The organization expressed concern over the misinformation, which they warned could undermine public trust in their conservation efforts.
“The images being shared online are not from Tsavo East National Park. They are from the Galana Kulalu Food Security Project, located at Galana Ranch, which borders the park to the east,” the statement read. KWS noted that the canals visible in the images are part of a large-scale irrigation project spearheaded by the State Department of Irrigation, aimed at enhancing Kenya’s food security through sustainable farming practices.
The Galana Kulalu project, which lies adjacent to Tsavo East and is accessible via the Malindi-Tsavo Road, has been a focal point of Kenya’s agricultural strategy. The construction of irrigation canals within the project is critical to its goal of transforming arid and semi-arid lands into productive agricultural zones.
KWS reiterated its unwavering commitment to the conservation and protection of Kenya’s national parks, including Tsavo East, which is home to diverse wildlife and critical ecosystems. The organization urged the public to seek accurate information and avoid spreading unfounded claims that could harm conservation efforts.
“We remain dedicated to safeguarding our wildlife heritage and ensuring that our national parks remain free from any activities that could compromise their ecological integrity,” the statement concluded.
