Narok County has denied claims that tourists were detained at Muthu Keekorok Lodge in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
In a statement on April 24, Narok County said the reports circulating online misrepresented the situation at the facility, attributing the disruption of operations to an ongoing labour dispute between MGM Muthu Hotels and its employees that resulted in a strike.
“The County Government of Narok categorically denies the false, inaccurate, and alarmist claims made by MGM Muthu Hotels 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,” read part of the statement.
The county said the dispute is confirmed in a letter from MGM Muthu Hotels dated April 22, 2026, and involves allegations of staff harassment, mismanagement, hazardous working conditions, declining service standards, and low staff morale.
It further noted that the deteriorating condition of the lodge, which it said falls below standards outlined in the Maasai Mara National Reserve Management Plan 2023–2032, has also contributed to tensions between management and workers.
Narok Assures Safety After Allegations of Tourist Detention in Maasai Mara
Narok County maintained that there are no security threats to tourists at the lodge, adding that all guests present before the strike are safe and under the protection of County Rangers and the Tourism Police Unit.
It said tourists remain free to leave or continue with their stay as scheduled, and clarified that no visitor, whether local or international, has been restricted from entering or exiting the facility.
The county urged the lodge management to put in place alternative accommodation arrangements for guests in anticipation of continued disruption caused by the strike.
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It also dismissed claims linking the disruption to a property dispute, stating that Muthu Keekorok Lodge remains under the ownership of the County Government of Narok.
The county reiterated that all tourism operators within the Maasai Mara National Reserve must comply with applicable laws and regulations, warning that non-compliance will be addressed accordingly.
Narok County reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring tourist safety, upholding hospitality standards, and maintaining fair operating conditions for all stakeholders in the tourism sector.
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About Muthu Keekorok Lodge
Muthu Keekorok Lodge, opened in 1965 by Kenya’s founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, is located in the Maasai Mara National Reserve along the route of the annual wildebeest migration.
Over the years, the lodge has hosted several distinguished figures, including Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Prince Charles, Dr. Henry Kissinger, and former U.S. Secretary of State George P. Shultz.
Guests can explore the Maasai Mara through guided game drives or hot air balloon safaris, with convenient access via the nearby Keekorok Airstrip.
It provides accommodation ranging from standard rooms to luxury suites overlooking the park.
An exterior view of Muthu Keekorok Lodge PHOTO/ Muthu Keekorok Lodge
