As shown in Figure 9 overpage, four main
government-classified roads traverse the Reserve - the C12,
E176,
E177 and D301. These classified roads are vital
transportation arteries not only for visitors, management
and
tourism facilities, but also for providing some
adjacent communities with access to urban centres and
associ-
ated facilities. Although the two county councils
receive limited funding for the upkeep of the classified
roads
under their jurisdiction, most of this support is
directed towards urban areas, and upkeep of the roads in
the
MMNR has traditionally been seen as the
responsibility of Reserve management. However, due to the
significant
costs involved, it has proved extremely difficult
for MMNR managers to allocate sufficient funds
for
road repair and, despite some successes at
obtaining donor funding for this activity, substantial and
sustainable
external funding for maintaining the
Reserve’s classified roads has not been forthcoming.
Although
managers have the majority of the plant necessary
for the works needed, it is expensive to run and
requires
significant human resources to
operate.
Under this management action, MMNR management will
take steps to secure the additional financial
support
needed to maintain the classified roads within the
Reserve to adequate standard. This will include
liaising
with the Kenya Roads Board to enable MMNR
classified roads to benefit from the Road Maintenance
Levy
Fund (RMLF), and pursuing options for securing
support from the Constituency Roads Fund under
the
Constituency Development Fund. In addition, as
necessary, MMNR managers will continue lobbying
for
maintenance and improvement of major Reserve
access roads (i.e. the C12 and C13).
