Narok County dismisses claims of tourist detained at Keekorok Lodge
By Emmanuel Rono, April 24, 2026The County Government of Narok has dismissed allegations that tourists at Muthu Keekorok Lodge were unlawfully confined, clarifying that a workers’ strike is behind the disruption of operations at the facility.
In a statement issued on Thursday, April 24, 2026, the county said the claims were false, inaccurate, and alarmist, insisting that no local or international tourists have been prevented from entering or leaving the lodge located within the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
“The attention of the County Government of Narok has been drawn to false and misleading allegations, which have been made and widely circulated relating to events that occurred recently at Muthu Keekorok Lodge in the Maasai Mara National Reserve,” part of the statement read.
“The County Government of Narok categorically denies the false, inaccurate, and alarmist claims made that international tourists staying at Muthu Keekorok Lodge have been unlawfully denied the right to leave and that the management of the lodge has been denied access to the premises.”
Labour dispute
According to the county, the standoff stems from a prolonged labour dispute between the hotel management where the tourists were and its workers, culminating in industrial action.
The statement noted that the disputes involve grievances such as alleged staff harassment, poor management, unsafe working conditions, declining service standards and low staff morale.
“The correct position, which the County Government of Narok hereby confirms, is that the primary reason for the disruption of operations at Muthu Keekorok Lodge was a protracted labour dispute between the hotel and its workers, which resulted in strike action by the workers,” the county stated.
The county confirmed that there were no security threats to tourists at Muthu Keekorok Lodge.
Tourists are safe
“The county government of Narok also confirms that there are no security threats to tourists at Muthu Keekorok Lodge. In fact, all the guests who were staying at the Lodge immediately before the strike action are safe and are welcome to continue staying at the Lodge until the time they were scheduled to check out,” the county clarified.
“In addition, no tourists, local or international, have been prevented from entering or leaving the lodge.”
Further, Narok County said all the guests who were staying at the lodge are being protected by county rangers under the command of the chief park warden, in collaboration with the Tourism Police Unit.