A campaign to install trash bins at the Rimoi National Game Reserve in Elgeyo Marakwet County was launched yesterday during World Wildlife Day.

Tourism stakeholders used the fete to call for enhanced cleanup in game reserves.

They said littering of parks with plastic materials by visitors was a threat to the preservation of wildlife ecosystems.

Elgeyo Marakwet County said the Rimoi National Game Reserve waste management initiative was crucial in making the environment safe for wildlife.

Ten trash bins were installed at the game reserve located on the border of Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties in a partnership between Standard Group Plc and Eka Hotel.

Eka Hotel General Manager (Eldoret) Kennedy Were said a visit to the game reserve by a team-building group motivated the trash bin idea.

Were said the team from Eka turned drums used for oil storage into thrash bins.

He said his team found that the park had a large herd of elephants, but some sections were littered.

“The first time we came to Rimoi in October last year, we found a nice ecosystem. We saw litter collection bins were missing,” he said.

He added: “We came up with the idea of recycling drums normally used for storage of oil. We managed to recycle the drums in a way that monkeys can not get into them and pick waste.”

Were said the recycling was aimed at keeping the environment within the game reserve clean.

“We fabricated the drums with a swinging top. Minimizing human- wildlife conflict was part of the plan. SG has partnered with us in our annual Golf tournament, and we appreciate the collaboration,” he added.

He further said a planned sundowner with the elephants after Eka/SG golf tournament will be a breathtaking experience for participants.

Tourism experts said Rimoi National Game Reserve had the potential of changing Elgeyo Marakwet County’s fortunes.

Geoffrey Koome, a lecturer at Moi University School of Tourism and Hospitality, said the park was an ideal environment for learning.

Koome called for deliberate efforts to encourage families to drive from Eldoret to the game reserve.

“It is a good place for academics. Students can come for learning, but there is a need to do marketing and site development,” he said.

He added: “Extension of natural pool for swimming and will improve the livelihoods of locals. We take students for trips to premium parks such as Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Mt Kenya for hiking and conservancies, among others. With entertainment and other recreational facilities, more students will visit this park.”

Simon Thiongo, a conservation expert and a lecturer, urged Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and investors to take advantage of the region’s athletic prowess to raise Rimoi Game Reserve’s profile and attract more visitors.

Thiongo said an annual sports event, particularly a marathon in the park, would increase visits.

“Eldoret and Iten are known for athletics, which is a global product. If we tag Rimoi (National Reserve) alongside athletics, it would raise its profile. Annual Marathon within the park will further put it on the map,” he said.

Elgeyo Marakwet Tourism Executive Robert Kangogo said the county was undertaking sports tourism with an intention to establish a circuit.

Tourists Maaike Weersdeteijn and Lucas Nieuweboer said awareness campaigns will bring more local tourists to the game reserve.