A Kenyan environmental court has determined it will continue hearing a controversial case against a high-end safari camp in the Maasai Mara reserve, despite the plaintiff’s attempt to withdraw the lawsuit. The legal challenge centers on allegations that the Ritz-Carlton Maasai Mara Camp, operated by Marriott International, disrupts the annual wildebeest migration corridor—a natural phenomenon that attracts global tourism to the region.
Environment and Land Court Judge Lucy Gacheru dismissed conservationist Joel Meitamei Olol Dapash’s withdrawal motion filed Wednesday, wherein he stated his concerns had been addressed through consultations. The court asserted its judicial discretion to continue cases involving significant public interest, particularly those raising serious environmental impact questions.
The case, initially filed in August following both local and international criticism, alleges the camp’s positioning obstructs the wildebeest migration path. Developer Lazizi Mara Limited opposed the withdrawal, arguing they had complied with all regulatory requirements yet faced negative portrayal, and requested a fair judicial hearing to clear their reputation.
The luxury camp, charging up to $3,500 per night, stands among several premium tourist destinations in the Maasai Mara National Reserve that offer close wildlife encounters during the migration to Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. The court has scheduled further proceedings for February 10 to determine case progression.