The national government has waived a Sh700 million debt owed to the owners of Leopard Rock Hotel by the county government of Meru.
The owner of the lodge, which was located in Meru National Park filed a suit in 2019 after the administration of the then governor Kiraitu Murungi forcibly took over the lodge after issuing a second notice of termination of a lease contract with the hotelier.
The first notice was issued by the first Governor Peter Munya.
Speaking in Meru County during the launch of Human-Wildlife Conflict Compensation Programme at Murera Grounds near Meru National Park President William Ruto said he has held talks with the Meru leadership and resolved to settle the debt in order to cushion the region from financial problems as well as protect its reputation as a tourist destination.
“There were issues with an investor, Leopard Rock and we will negotiate with him on how to make the payment. My government will pay the money instead of Meru to avoid them getting into financial problems,” said the president.
The president said the waiver of the debt will enable the county government to carry out other interventions, including construction of facilities that will attract more tourists and raise revenue from the park.
