Preparations for the highly anticipated annual Mara Day celebrations have reached their culmination, promising an unforgettable event on September 15, 2023 in Mugumu Town, Serengeti District, in the United Republic of Tanzania,
The 12th Mara Day festivity’s theme “Conserving Mara River for Biodiversity and Sustainable Economy,” translated into Swahili as "Hifadhi Mto Mara kwa Ustawi wa Viumbe Hai na Uchumi Endelevu," embodies the essence of the occasion."
The celebration kicks off from September 12th to 15th September 2023, offering a comprehensive experience that blends culture, conservation, and knowledge exchange. A highlight of the Mara Day agenda includes workshop of Water Users Forum on September 13th and Scientific Conference on September 14th, both aims to harness and advance knowledge to inform the sustainable management and conservation of the Maasai Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem. These intellectual gatherings will provide a platform for experts and stakeholders to deliberate on critical issues.
The journey towards Mara Day’s grandeur commenced on September 9th in Kisumu City, the headquarters of Lake Victoria Basin Commission.
Dr. Masinde Bwire, the Executive Secretary, led a symbolic tree planting exercise at Victoria and Manyatta Primary Schools, where over 200 trees were planted. In a spirit of collaboration, Ecobank Kenya, represented by Mr. Thaddeus Okwaro, Regional Manager for Western Kenya actively participated in this eco-conscious initiative. Ecobank is among the proud sponsors of this year’s celebrations.
The support from various partners has been instrumental in ensuring the success of the Mara Day celebrations. These partners include the European Union, World Bank Group, Adaptation Fund, German Cooperation, KCB Tanzania, USAID, IUCN, Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies, UN Environment Programme, and KFW.
Mara Day celebrations are a testament to the strong collaboration between the Republic of Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania. This annual event, held on a rotational basis between these two East African countries, has its roots in the 10th Sectoral Council of Ministers for Lake Victoria Basin meeting in 2012, which took place in Kigali, Rwanda. The meeting declared that every September 15th is Mara Day, marking the official commitment to conserving and awareness creation.
Since the Kigali declarations, Mara Day celebrations have continued to achieve their guiding objectives in creating awareness among key stakeholders on the importance of the Mara River basin and its resources, recognize and involve contributions from various sectors in its management, and promote partnerships for the sustainable use of the Mara’s water and biodiversity resources.
One of the most significant outcomes of the Mara Day celebrations was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Republic of Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania on the joint management of transboundary water resources in the Mara River on September 15, 2015. This historic agreement has played a pivotal role in conserving the Mara Ecosystem.
Conservation efforts in the Mara Ecosystem have yielded substantial benefits for both East African Partner States. The region generates substantial revenue through a constant influx of tourists who flock to witness the awe-inspiring wildebeest migration.
As the 12th Mara Day celebrations approach, the anticipation is palpable, and all signs point to another successful and impactful event. The commitment to conserving the Mara River and its precious ecosystem remains unwavering, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
