The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) on Tuesday dispelled fears of alleged mining activities at the Tsavo East National Park.
This follows after false information circulating on social media alleging mining activities are being undertaken at the expansive reserve.
In a statement to the press, the agency explained that the images shared online purporting to be taken from the park are false.
"We wish to clarify that the images being shared are not from the said Tsavo East National Park and there are no mining activities taking place," read the statement in part.
KWS clarified that the images shared are from the Galana Ranch housing the Galana Kulalu Food Security Project managed by the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) which is adjacent to Tsavo East National Park.
The Galana Kulalu Food Security is spearheaded by the State Department of Irrigation and is aimed at enhancing food security in Kenya through large-scale irrigation and sustainable farming practices.
"As part of the program, canals are being constructed to facilitate water flow into irrigation farms," the report further explained.
Tsavo East National Park is one of the oldest and largest parks in Kenya and mining activities have never been done within the park.
The false images circulating on social media have raised eyebrows from the public as to whether mining activities are allowed in national parks.
Up until now, there has not been any mining activity in the Tsavo East National Park. KWS affirmed its commitment to the conservation and protection of the country’s national parks which it regards as national heritage.
This comes even as in July, gem stones specialists expressed their vehement opposition to mining at Tsavo amid speculation that investors were lobbying the government to move into the reserve.
While making their argument, the gemologists argued that such a move would have a negative effect on the environment.
