Kitui County has unveiled plans to construct a road along the Kitui-Tana River border to prevent unauthorized access into the South Kitui and Mwingi game reserves, a move aimed at safeguarding wildlife and reducing conflicts with local communities. The initiative, announced by Deputy Governor Augustine Kanani during World Wildlife Day celebrations at Nyamboni Primary School, comes amid repeated incursions by pastoralists from the Northeastern region, whose livestock have been damaging wildlife habitats.
The border road, referred to as an overt cutline, is part of Governor Julius Malombe’s broader wildlife conservation strategy. Pastoralist encroachments into protected areas have not only threatened biodiversity but also contributed to rising insecurity, according to county officials. The plan will demarcate the reserves clearly, discouraging livestock from entering and mitigating clashes between humans and wildlife. The World Wildlife Day event brought together stakeholders from Meru National Park, Kora National Park, Mwingi Game Reserve, and Bisnadi National Reserve, as well as students from local schools, highlighting the importance of partnerships in conservation.
County leaders say the road and associated conservation measures are expected to enhance tourism potential while protecting the fragile ecosystem of the reserves. Deputy Governor Kanani emphasized that community involvement and collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service will be key in maintaining the initiative. With proper implementation, the project is expected to foster sustainable wildlife management, improve local security, and promote Kitui as a model for human-wildlife coexistence in the Eastern Conservation Area.