A Historic Handover: Amboseli National Park to Kajiado County
President William Ruto made a historic decision on Saturday, officially transferring the management of Amboseli National Park to the Kajiado County government. This momentous step marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s journey toward devolution, justice, and community-led conservation.
Located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjango, Amboseli is one of Kenya’s most iconic parks. It is renowned for its large herds of elephants, stunning landscapes, and rich Maasai culture. The park covers approximately 392 square kilometers and attracts tens of thousands of local and international visitors each year.
Gazetted in 1974, Amboseli was later recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1991. For decades, it has been managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). However, the ownership and management of the park have long been a point of contention between the national government and the Maasai community, who have traditionally lived around and protected the ecosystem.
The handover follows years of petitions and negotiations. The Maasai have always regarded Amboseli as ancestral land, serving as a crucial grazing and cultural space long before colonial demarcations. After being gazetted as a national park, access for the community was restricted, leading to grievances over exclusion and unfulfilled promises.
Successive administrations pledged to resolve the issue but failed to take decisive action until President Ruto’s administration stepped in. In October 2023, Ruto announced his intention to return Amboseli to the people of Kajiado during a visit to the county. This declaration sparked excitement and renewed hope, but also initiated a lengthy administrative and legal process involving multiple agencies.
In a presidential proclamation dated November 8, 2025, Ruto stated:
“NOW HENCEFORTH, by dint of these presents and the deed of transfer herein executed, may it be known to all that it is hereby proclaimed that the management of Amboseli National Park stands returned to the host community through the County Government of Kajiado.”
Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku even broke into tears as Ruto announced the handover. The transfer effectively restores community stewardship while maintaining national oversight through KWS, the Wildlife Research and Training Institute, and the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife.
Why the Delay?
Following the President’s announcement, inter-agency consultations began between the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the Council of Governors, and Kajiado County Government. These discussions aimed to ensure the handover complied with constitutional, legal, and conservation frameworks.
Key challenges included amending gazette notices, establishing a new management framework, and agreeing on revenue-sharing, staffing, and conservation standards. The Attorney General’s Office and the State Department for Devolution were also involved in crafting a memorandum of understanding that would protect Amboseli’s ecological integrity while empowering local governance.
During this period, President Ruto chaired several follow-up meetings with then Tourism Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, Ole Lenku, and KWS officials to fast-track the process. The final approval was granted after the Cabinet endorsed the handover and relevant legal instruments were gazetted.
What the Handover Means
Under the new arrangement, Kajiado County will take charge of day-to-day park operations, including tourism management, revenue collection, and community benefit-sharing programs. The national government will continue to provide technical and policy support, ensuring that conservation standards and ecological monitoring remain world-class.
According to Ruto, the move represents a model of shared prosperity and environmental justice. He said:
“This is not a withdrawal of national commitment but a renewal of trust in the people. It is not the end of conservation; it is its renewal. The people who have protected Amboseli for centuries will now be at the center of its future.”
Amboseli generates significant tourism revenue and supports thousands of livelihoods directly and indirectly. The new structure is expected to channel more benefits to residents while strengthening wildlife protection and sustainable development in the region.
The President also acknowledged the contribution of Maasai elders, who have set aside more than one million acres as wildlife corridors and dispersal areas. According to Ruto, this reaffirms their commitment to coexistence between humans and wildlife.
Ole Lenku stated that the handover marks the end of a decades-long struggle for land rights and ownership. He said:
“By handing over Amboseli National Park to the community, President Ruto has overturned a historical injustice. Every administration has been petitioned by the Maa nation against that injustice.”
He added:
“We celebrate President Ruto’s courage to recognize that this is an injustice, but not only to recognize but to take a step to correct the injustice.”