The Nation
(Nairobi)
June 29, 2003

Nairobi

Morans (Maasai warriors) who have been at the centre of the lion killings controversy yesterday sought peace with Environment minister Newton Kulundu after they underwent a war ritual.

Elders said the morans were ready to meet Dr Kulundu to resolve the Nairobi National Park conflict after they led 200 of them in emayian, a symbolic blessing ceremony signifying the beginning of a battle in Kitengela.

"We are not poachers," said an elder, Mr William Motaiya. "But we will kill the lions unless the government shows a will to resolve the conflict."

Ten lions have been killed by the warriors in the last two weeks in retaliation for their cows killed by the lions straying from the park.

None of the elders could remember when emaiyan was last held. Mr Motaiya said it was more than 20 years ago during a confrontation with the Kamba.

He said: "We have asked God to protect them during this crisis. They will win"

The elders also protested against suggestions that the park be fenced off to keep away the beasts, saying this would deprive them of products from the park. They graze their cows and collect firewood from the park, they said, adding that fencing it off would not solve the conflict.

At the ceremony attended by more than 20 elders, the warriors, walking in single file, descended from a hill and passed under tobacco containers held by elders.

The elders chanted blessings as they passed by.
Mr Godfrey Ntapayia said residents, through their Kitengela Ilparakuo Land Owners Association, had tried in vain to meet the minister last week.

He appealed to the minister to find a day to meet them, saying threatening them would only worsen the situation.

The association's chairman, Mr James ole Turere, said by issuing threats, the government was attempting to "put out a fire by pouring paraffin on it".

He said: "The same way there is no law allowing the killing of lions, so is it that there is no law allowing the killing of our cows."