Historic Transfer of Amboseli National Park Management
The management of Amboseli National Park has been officially transferred to the leadership of the Kajiado County Government, marking a significant milestone in Kenya’s conservation and governance efforts. This move, described by President William Ruto as historic, addresses a long-standing issue regarding the ownership and administration of the park.
During the handover ceremony held on Saturday, President Ruto expressed confidence in a community-led approach to conservation. He emphasized that this shift is not a weakening of conservation efforts but rather a renewal. “Conservation led by the people lasts longer, works better, and heals deeper,” he stated.
The 51-year dispute over Amboseli’s management had created challenges, leaving the local community excluded from restoration efforts and the park’s benefits. President Ruto acknowledged the Maa community as the greatest conservationists, expressing his belief that Amboseli will be better than ever before.
The handover ceremony coincided with the 3rd Maa Cultural and Tourism Festival at Amboseli National Park, where President Ruto was installed as a Maa elder. During the event, he signed a Deed of Transfer officially returning the park from the Kenya Wildlife Service to the Kajiado County Government.
Several high-profile figures attended the ceremony, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Governors Joseph ole Lenku (Kajiado), Jonathan Lati Lelelit (Samburu), Patrick ole Ntutu (Narok), Cabinet Secretaries Rebecca Miano (Tourism), Aden Duale (Health), and Soipan Tuya (Defence), Members of Parliament, and the Kajiado County Assembly.
President Ruto assured stakeholders that the government remains committed to protecting wildlife and fulfilling all international obligations. He highlighted that the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute will continue to provide services such as security, ecological monitoring, and technical oversight. The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife will also offer policy guidance and technical support to the county.
The President urged county leaders and the Maa community to avoid politics, division, or greed from tainting the milestone. He emphasized the need for transparency, professionalism, and integrity in the management of the park. “This agency must operate with integrity for the good of conservation and the community,” he said. He also pledged to personally ensure the National Government provides oversight and support.
President Ruto received the county spatial plan for the park and committed to mobilizing resources for its implementation. In his address, he cited government actions to correct historical injustices, including returning operations of the Port of Mombasa to safeguard the local economy and removing extra-vetting for citizens living along border counties. He also noted efforts to conserve the Mau Forest, issuing title deeds, and removing encroachers.
Recognizing the long 51-year journey to return Amboseli to the Maa community, President Ruto honored the efforts of Francis ole Legis, Lenku ole Mpaa, and Lesinko ole Nkaitole. “Today, we honour them posthumously for their selfless fight to defend the rights of their people and to protect the heritage of this park,” he said.
Musalia Mudavadi praised the Maa community for their role in conservation. “The Maa are the true protectors and defenders of the savannah. We salute them,” he stated.
Governor Lenku described the handover as a correction of historical injustice. “We celebrate the correction of an injustice and a turning point in history by returning the management of Amboseli to the county government,” he said.
Cabinet Secretary Miano called for the Maa Cultural Festival to gain international recognition, while CS Duale highlighted the government’s broader equity efforts, including universal health coverage, affordable housing, removal of extra vetting for IDs, and now the return of Amboseli’s management to the Maa community.
The transfer marks a new era for Amboseli National Park, with conservation expected to benefit both the community and the country.