By Shadrack Nyakoe
Kajiado County has officially taken over the management of Amboseli National Park, ending decades of joint oversight between the county and the national government.
President William Ruto presided over the landmark ceremony on Saturday, describing the handover as a defining moment in Kenya’s journey toward community-centered conservation and devolution.
“Today we are returning Amboseli to its people those who have safeguarded this land and its wildlife for generations,” President Ruto said. “This transition ensures that conservation directly benefits the local community and strengthens intergenerational equity.”
Amboseli’s story stretches back over a century, from its early days as the Southern Reserve for the Maasai to its evolution into the Maasai Amboseli Game Reserve, and later, a national park under partial government management. For years, questions lingered over who truly controlled and benefited from the park’s vast resources.
The latest development settles that debate, officially placing Amboseli under the management of the Kajiado County Government in line with Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, which empowers counties to take charge of devolved functions.
The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, working closely with Kajiado County officials, completed the legal and administrative framework for the handover as outlined in Kenya Gazette Notices No. 15320 and 15231 published on October 24, 2025.
During the ceremony, a set of symbolic instruments was presented to the county, marking the formal transfer of authority. These included the official Amboseli National Park map defining the park’s boundaries, an ecosystem management plan outlining sustainable conservation strategies, a transition committee report summarizing consultations, a deed of transfer legally vesting ownership in Kajiado County, and a detailed transition plan providing a roadmap for continuity of operations.
To crown the event, symbolic carvings of elephants, lions, and giraffes were handed over representing Amboseli’s world-renowned wildlife and Kenya’s enduring natural heritage.
President Ruto hailed the handover as a turning point in community empowerment, noting that it allows residents to directly benefit from tourism revenue and employment opportunities.
“The management of Amboseli National Park is now anchored in the hands of its rightful custodians the people of Kajiado County. This is both a responsibility and an opportunity to protect a global heritage while improving livelihoods,” he said.
County leaders welcomed the transition, pledging to uphold the park’s ecological integrity while expanding community-based tourism, environmental education, and conservation initiatives that directly support local livelihoods.
The ceremony, rich with Maasai culture and symbolism, celebrated the deep connection between the community and their ancestral land. Traditional songs, dances, and blessings marked the occasion, reflecting the sense of homecoming and pride that defined the day.
As Amboseli enters a new chapter under county stewardship, the park’s story now intertwines heritage, conservation, and local empowerment standing as a powerful example of how devolution can bring Kenya’s natural treasures closer to the people.
