Amboseli National Park Officially Handed Over to Kajiado County

Kenya, 8 November 2025 - In a historic handover President Ruto highlighted the significance of returning Amboseli to the Maa people, whose ancestors were the original custodians of the land.

“This transfer represents what Kenya must always stand for: justice, inclusion, and shared prosperity. The people who live closest to wildlife are not enemies of conservation; they are its first defenders,” he said.

The park, gazetted in 1974 and recognised as a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1991, has long been a source of both pride and tension. While the designation sought to strengthen conservation, it had excluded local communities from decision-making and revenue-sharing.

What the Handover Entails

Under the agreement, the national government and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) retain ownership of the parkland.

Kajiado County will now oversee day-to-day operations, wildlife protection, tourism services, and revenue management.

The phased revenue-sharing plan gradually increases the county’s share from 50% in FY 2026/27 to full management by FY 2028/29, with 5% earmarked for national research and ecological oversight.

President Ruto assured that KWS and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute will continue providing security, ecological monitoring, and technical support. The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife will also maintain oversight and guidance.

Why It Matters

For decades, Kajiado communities bore the costs of living alongside wildlife without equitable benefits. The handover is seen as a step toward correcting that imbalance, empowering local governance and community-led conservation.

The President also paid tribute to community leaders who fought for this restoration of rights, including the late Francis ole Legis, Lenku ole Mpaa, and Lesinko ole Nkaitole, whose efforts paved the way for the handover.

Looking Ahead

Kajiado County now carries the responsibility of ensuring that conservation standards are maintained while maximising benefits for the local community.

President Ruto called on the county and Maa community to manage the park with professionalism, transparency, and integrity, warning against political interference or greed.

Observers are now watching whether other parks, including Lake Nakuru National Park, may follow Amboseli’s example, potentially signalling a broader shift in Kenya’s conservation governance model.

The handover of Amboseli is more than a change in management—it is a restoration of justice, a celebration of culture, and a promise for sustainable, community-led conservation.