Tag: East Africa Safari

Conservation Protests Against SGR Construction Through Nairobi National Park (2016 Article – Current Status Update 2025) The Original Protests (2016) In 2016, conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts strongly protested plans for Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to pass through Nairobi National Park – the world's only major national park inside a capital city. Demonstrators marched to Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) headquarters, demanding the route be rerouted entirely or at least to the park's southern edge. They feared increased human-wildlife conflict, habitat fragmentation, and long-term damage to this unique urban wildlife sanctuary. Kenya Railways responded by promising mitigation measures: elevated bridges, wildlife underpasses, noise barriers, and fencing during construction. The article compared the situation to Tanzania's successful halt of a proposed highway across the Serengeti in 2010–2011, hoping Kenyan protesters might achieve a similar outcome. What Actually Happened – Update as of November 2025 Despite the protests and legal challenges (including a temporary halt by Kenya's National Environment Tribunal in 2016), the SGR section through Nairobi National Park was built on elevated viaducts. Construction of Phase 2A (Nairobi–Naivasha) was completed and the line opened in 2019. Key mitigation features now in place: 6.5-metre-high elevated bridges allowing large animals (elephants, giraffes, lions) to pass underneath 14 dedicated wildlife corridors and dozens of culverts along the route Noise barriers and fencing to reduce disturbance While some conservationists still criticise the decision, independent monitoring shows minimal disruption to wildlife movement so far. The park remains fully operational and popular with visitors. Lessons for Conservation in East Africa The Nairobi SGR controversy highlighted the ongoing tension between infrastructure development and wildlife protection. In contrast, Tanzania's successful campaign against the Serengeti highway (thanks to global pressure and alternative routing) remains a conservation victory. Today, both countries prioritise elevated structures and wildlife corridors for new projects – proof