Stakeholders from the Mara River basin have renewed their commitment to preserving the Mara ecosystem, a symbol of shared natural heritage between Kenya and Tanzania. During the 13th Mara Day celebrations held in Sekenani, Narok West Sub-County, speakers emphasized the river’s vital role in supporting millions of people and wildlife, including the renowned wildebeest migration.
Principal Secretary for the State Department for East African Community, Abdi Dubat, representing Cabinet Secretary Beatrice Askul, underscored the importance of the Mara River basin for both countries. The river, which flows from Kenya’s Mau Escarpment through the Maasai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti before draining into Lake Victoria, supports local communities, wildlife, and tourism industries.
Despite its significance, Dubat warned that the Mara ecosystem faces threats from climate change, human activities, and environmental degradation. He called for stronger cooperation between Kenya and Tanzania to sustainably manage and protect the basin for future generations. Kenya’s goal to plant 15 billion trees over the next decade, part of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, was highlighted as a key step in reversing environmental damage.
Dubat also noted that the basin reflects East African cooperation, where shared resources unite communities. He encouraged continued collaboration, research, and joint initiatives to safeguard the river’s integrity.
David Sankok, an East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) member, and Lake Victoria Basin Commission Executive Secretary Dr. Masinde Bwire echoed the need for cross-border collaboration. Narok Deputy Governor Tamalinye Koech, who represented Governor Patrick Ntutu, emphasized the ecosystem’s significance to tourism and the region’s economy, noting that the Maasai Mara National Reserve generates over KSh 3.5 billion in annual revenue for Narok County.
The event, themed “Flowing Forward Together: Conserving Mara Basin for Biodiversity and Climate Resilience,” attracted delegates from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and various Kenyan counties.
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is a key resource for Kenya, home to diverse wildlife and a major attraction for tourists, contributing significantly to local revenue and the country’s economy.
