By John Kaleke
Forty guests and several staff members were rescued at Masai Mara Game Reserve on Sunday after River Talek burst its banks and overflowed.
Speaking to the media in Sarova Mara Lodge, Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu said 40 guests and several staff were rescued with no casualties or fatalities reported.
Nine camps have been impacted by floods including Tipilikwani camp, Mara Leisure camp, Mara Base camp, Olkinyei camp, Mara Big Five, Mariot Camp, Sweet Acacia, Pride Inn Mara and Kananga camp.
Governor Ntutu said that the river had overflowed at midnight affecting sections of Talek town leaving guests trapped in several camps along the river.
Further, the governor said that Mosiro ward has been severely impacted by the ongoing rains with 100 families residing along the Mosiro Irrigation Scheme having been displaced.
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The governor urged those who reside adjacent to the rivers to evacuate to safer ground.
Narok County Commissioner Lotiatia Kipkech echoed the governor’s sentiments by issuing a warning to those who reside adjacent rivers to move to the safer grounds.
Lotiatia urged the stakeholders to alert people still residing near rivers of the risks of overflowing, adding that the government will use force to move people living in areas prone to floods.
The chairman of Narok county Natural resources, Nicholas Murero also urged the community residing around the flooded area to move to the safer sites.
He also praised both the National and county government for the operations of rescuing the affected people.