Lazizi Mara Limited has issued a formal position statement addressing the public debate surrounding the proposed Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara Safari Camp, confirming that the matter is currently under active litigation before the Environment and Land Court.
In a statement dated November 26, the company said the case is filed as Environment and Land Petition No. E003 of 2025, noting that it has supplied the court with comprehensive documentation to demonstrate compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.
According to Managing Director Shivan Patel, Lazizi Mara has submitted six key sets of documents in response to the petition, including all correspondence between the company and Narok County on the lease application dating back to 2023, the official approval letter, the lease itself, and a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report accompanied by proof of public participation.
The company has also provided correspondence from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Narok County Government to the petitioner, both of which reportedly affirm that proper procedures were followed.
Lazizi Mara clarified that The Ritz-Carlton is neither the owner nor the operator of the disputed safari camp. “The developer and operator of the project is Lazizi Mara Limited,” the statement read, pushing back against public speculation linking the global hospitality brand to the contentious approvals.
The company further accused the petitioner of delaying the judicial process, noting that despite filing the case in August, the petitioner “is yet to serve all parties listed as respondents,” a move Lazizi Mara describes as deliberate and obstructive.
Patel added that both The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott conducted “independent, in-depth due diligence” before approving Lazizi Mara’s brand licensing agreements and continue to support the company as the legal process unfolds.
Reiterating its commitment to due process, Lazizi Mara said it will refrain from engaging in further public exchanges while the matter is before the courts.
Lazizi Mara Limited is a privately owned Kenyan hospitality development firm with over four decades of business heritage and 14 years of operational experience in the sector. The company partners with leading global brands, including The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott, to bring world-class hospitality standards to Kenya.
