COVID-19

COVID-19: This is how a lack of tourism is impacting Kenya's Maasai

Two Maasai men walk outside Enkereri village near Masai Mara Game Reserve April 3, 2008.A rocky cliff overlooking the Reserve marks a new front line in a conflict between people and wildlife that threatens the revival of Kenya's $1 billion tourism industry. Riots and ethnic violence that exploded after a disputed December 27 vote scared away almost all the foreign holidaymakers. The disappearance of tourist dollars has disturbed the delicate balance between predators in the reserve and the Maasai tribesmen living next to it, by causing the breakdown of a compensation scheme meant to stop them hunting lions. Picture taken April 3, 2008. To match feature KENYA-WILDLIFE/ REUTERS/Radu Sigheti (KENYA ENVIRONMENT TRAVEL POLITICS) BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE - GM1E57T1ECV01

The pandemic's impact on tourism is having a major impact on the Maasai. Image: REUTERS/Radu Sigheti

Nita Bhalla
Journalist, Thomson Reuters Foundation
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maasai mara tribe kenya indigenous no mads pastoralists anthropology africa african kenyan coronavirus covid pandemic tourism travel economics flights
A Maasai woman queues for food aid in Nashulai Maasai Conservancy in Narok county, Kenya on July 14, 2020. Image: THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION/Nita Bhalla
maasai mara tribe kenya indigenous no mads pastoralists anthropology africa african kenyan coronavirus covid pandemic tourism travel economics flights
A Maasai woman waits for food aid. Image: THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION/Nita Bhalla
maasai mara tribe kenya indigenous no mads pastoralists anthropology africa african kenyan coronavirus covid pandemic tourism travel economics flights
Maasai herders with their livestock. Image: THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION/Nita Bhalla
maasai mara tribe kenya indigenous no mads pastoralists anthropology africa african kenyan coronavirus covid pandemic tourism travel economics flights
The Maasai Mara reserve. Image: Mara Conservancies
maasai mara tribe kenya indigenous no mads pastoralists anthropology africa african kenyan coronavirus covid pandemic tourism travel economics flights
Nelson Ole Reiyia, founder of the Nashulai Maasai Conservancy, hands out food to community members at conservancy in Narok county, Kenya on July 14, 2020. Image: THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION/Nita Bhalla
maasai mara tribe kenya indigenous no mads pastoralists anthropology africa african kenyan coronavirus covid pandemic tourism travel economics flights
Zebra and Thomson's gazelle graze in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Image: THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION/Nita Bhalla
maasai mara tribe kenya indigenous no mads pastoralists anthropology africa african kenyan coronavirus covid pandemic tourism travel economics flights
A Maasai woman awaits food aid. Image: THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION/Nita Bhalla
maasai mara tribe kenya indigenous no mads pastoralists anthropology africa african kenyan coronavirus covid pandemic tourism travel economics flights
Residents of Ewang'an village in Narok county, Kenya on July 14, 2020. Image: THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION/Nita Bhalla.
maasai mara tribe kenya indigenous no mads pastoralists anthropology africa african kenyan coronavirus covid pandemic tourism travel economics flights
A Maasai women offers traditional beaded jewellery for sale. Image: THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION/Nita Bhalla.
maasai mara tribe kenya indigenous no mads pastoralists anthropology africa african kenyan coronavirus covid pandemic tourism travel economics flights
Maasai herders with their livestock. Image: THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION/Nita Bhalla
maasai mara tribe kenya indigenous no mads pastoralists anthropology africa african kenyan coronavirus covid pandemic tourism travel economics flights
A herd of elephants in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Image: THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION/Nita Bhalla
maasai mara tribe kenya indigenous no mads pastoralists anthropology africa african kenyan coronavirus covid pandemic tourism travel economics flights
Joseph Kosikir, warden at Nashulai Maasai Conservancy. Image: THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION/Nita Bhalla.
maasai mara tribe kenya indigenous no mads pastoralists anthropology africa african kenyan coronavirus covid pandemic tourism travel economics flights
Maasai women await food aid at the Nashulai Maasai Conservancy. Image: THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION/Nita Bhalla
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