*STEPS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF RHINO AND BONGO SANCTUARY IN MERU ON FINAL PHASE*

The vision by Governor Kiraitu Murungi to expand tourism in Meru through establishment of a rhino and bongo sanctuary on Mt. Kenya at Mucheene and Marania forests is well on course and currently on conclusion phase.

Yeasterday the full board of the Meru Rhino and Bongo Sanctuary Trust held a meeting chaired by the Trust chairman, Mr. John Kinoti and CEC member for Tourism Maingi Mugambi, where they received briefing on the preliminary research findings by the KWS and KFS scientist before the issuance of user license for the project to begin.

KFS top scientists from headquarters in Nairobi led by Head of Forests Health and Biodiversity Mr. James Mwang’ombe, and those from KWS HQ led by Anastasia Mwaura briefed the board on their research findings and requirements that have to be met in the upcoming final phase before the bongo and rhino can be repatriated from California in the United States, and the eventual operationalization of the sanctuary.

Speaking at the function, CEC member Maingi said the massive project is expected to boost the tourism sector in Meru by introducing new products which will in turn, increase tourists flow, introduce new opportunities and contribute in the growth of the County’s economy in line with Governor Kiraitu’s vision of Making Meru Great.

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Meru Deputy Governor Titus Ntuchiu this morning met and held discussions with board members of the Ngare Ndare Forest Trust led by Trust Chairman Mr. David Kinyua, former Chairman and investor Mr. Charlie Willer who is also a member of the Board, and Mr. John Kinoti, the Community Development Programme Manager for Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

They discussed at length on how Governor Kiraitu’s Government will continue partnering with the Trust to improve tourism and conservation of Ngare Ndare and especially the development of the internationally recognized 500m(0.5km) Ngare Ndare Forest Canopy Walk which is the second longest in Africa.

“Through the Department of Tourism which is led by County Minister Maingi Mugambi, we shall work closely with the Trust and the national government through the office of the County Commissioner to overcome any challenges that could come on the way of ensuring realization of the full tourism potential of Ngare Ndare Forest for the benefit of the people of Meru County and especially the communities living along the forest,” noted the DG.

He added that promotion and development of a world class tourism is Governor Kiraitu’s core agenda and major strides have been made towards its achievement. The Deputy Governor said Governor Kiraitu remains firmly focused in working with partners to achieve this objective as part of the vision of Making Meru Great.
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Meru county’s Bongo and Rhino conservation project has been chosen for presentation before the president of United Nations (UN) General Assembly Volkan Bozkir.

Deputy Governor Titus Ntuchiu chaired the first meeting of the Meru Bongo and Rhino Conservation Trust which deliberate on the progress of the establishment of the Meru Bongo and Rhino Sanctuary.

“The President will be visiting the country later this month and the Meru Bongo and Rhino Conservation Project has been picked to be presented as a way of showcasing community involvement in wildlife heritage conservation. This is a great honour to Meru County and we are eagerly waiting for this event that will put the county on an international map,” said Mr Ntuchiu.

Mr Ntuchiu noted that Governor Kiraitu Murungi intended to transform Meru into a leading tourist destination and making the tourism sector a key contributor to the dream of making Meru great when he brought together partners including Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, and the Meru County communities bordering the forest.

“The Governor wanted these teams to come together and create a formidable force in developing the tourism sector in this County,” said Mr Ntuchiu.

He said the success achieved so far, where the project is drawing accolades and recognition from the UN is also attributed to the county government’s determination to transform livelihoods of Meru people through tourism.

He added: “This project will be repatriating the Bongo from Florida in the United States, which was indigenous to Mt Kenya but has since become extinct.”