The National Government has transferred the management of Amboseli National Park to the leadership of the Kajiado County Government.
During the handover of the park on Saturday, President William Ruto said the historic decision settles the long-standing ownership and management issue of the Amboseli National Park.
He expressed confidence in the community-led approach to conserving the park for the benefit of the Maa community and the rest of Kenya.
He noted that the 51-year dispute over the management of Amboseli had posed a serious conservation challenge, leaving the community excluded from restoration and the park’s benefits.
“This is not a weakening of conservation; it is a renewal because conservation led by the people lasts longer, works better, and heals deeper,” he said.
“I am proud of this moment because I am sure the Maa community are the greatest conservationists. I have no doubt in my mind that Amboseli will be better than what it used to be.”
He made the remarks during the handover ceremony of the Amboseli National Park management to the Kajiado County Government at the Amboseli National Park.
Ruto officially signed a Deed of Transfer and management of the Amboseli, effectively returning the park from the National Government (Kenya Wildlife Service) to the Kajiado County Government.
It was significant that the handover took place during the 3rd Maa Cultural and Tourism Festival at Amboseli National Park, where President Ruto was also installed as a Maa elder.
Present were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Governors Joseph ole Lenku (Kajiado), Jonathan Lati Lelelit (Samburu), and Patrick ole Ntutu (Narok); Cabinet Secretaries Rebecca Miano (Tourism), Aden Duale (Health), and Soipan Tuya (Defence); and Members of Parliament; and the Kajiado County Assembly.
He assured stakeholders that the government remains committed to protecting wildlife and fulfilling all international obligations.
“The Kenya Wildlife Service and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute will continue to provide various services, including security, ecological monitoring, and technical oversight, as they do in all protected areas,” he said.
He added that the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife will also continue to provide policy guidance and technical support to the County Government of Kajiado.
Ruto urged county leaders and the Maa community not to allow politics, division, or greed to taint the transfer milestone of the Amboseli.
Ruto said the new semi-autonomous government agency that will manage Amboseli is not a political instrument, but a professional institution for the people.
“This agency must be transparent, professional, and operate with integrity for the good of conservation and the community,” he said.
Ruto said he would take personal responsibility to ensure that the National Government provides oversight and support.
He received the county spatial plan for the park and pledged to mobilise resources for its implementation.
At the same time, Ruto said the government had also taken corrective measures against historical injustices. He cited the government’s return of operations of the Port of Mombasa to safeguard the local economy, which had been significantly affected when some services were moved to the SGR terminal near Naivasha.
Ruto also said the government had removed extra-vetting for Kenyans living in counties along our borders to ensure that no citizen is discriminated against.
Additionally, he said the government has fulfilled the pledge to conserve and preserve the Mau Forest and issued a title deed for the water tower, removed those who encroached the forest and fenced it off.
He added that the government had issued title deeds for 10,000 acres.
On the long 51-year journey to return the Amboseli to the Maa community, President recognised the role and determination of Francis ole Legis, Lenku ole Mpaa, and Lesinko ole Nkaitole for their courage, conviction, and unyielding commitment to justice.
“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.
Mudavadi said the transfer of Amboseli to the Maa people proves that the community is not a threat to conservation; unregulated commercial interests driven by greed are.
“The Maa are the true protectors and defenders of the savannah. We salute them,” he said.
Lenku commended the government for correcting the historical injustice over the ownership and management of Amboseli National Park.
“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.
Miano said the Maa Cultural Festival should be recognised as an international event so that the world can celebrate the richness of the Maa culture
Duale said the government is addressing discrimination to promote equity across the country.
He cited the rollout of universal health coverage, affordable housing, the removal of extra vetting for National Identification Cards, and now the return of Amboseli National Park management to the Maa community, among other achievements.
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