Ruto presides over historic handover of Amboseli National Park to Kajiado County
Amboseli, initially designated as the Southern Reserve for the Maasai and later the Maasai Amboseli Game Reserve, has evolved through various phases of ownership, from ancestral Maasai stewardship to colonial administration and partial government oversight.
The management of Amboseli National Park has officially been transferred to Kajiado County, ending decades of joint oversight with the national government.
President William Ruto, on Saturday, presided over the handover, calling it a historic milestone that empowers local communities and ensures Kenya’s natural treasures benefit those who have long lived alongside them.
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Amboseli, initially designated as the Southern Reserve for the Maasai and later the Maasai Amboseli Game Reserve, has evolved through various phases of ownership, from ancestral Maasai stewardship to colonial administration and partial government oversight.
The transfer to Kajiado County resolves long-standing questions over management and ownership, while advancing the integration of host communities into conservation initiatives.
President Ruto highlighted the broader significance of the handover. “By returning the park to the people of Kajiado County, we are ensuring that local communities are fully integrated into conservation efforts for shared benefits,” he said.
“This is a milestone in our journey towards inclusive growth and intergenerational equity.”
The transition followed the framework of the 2010 Constitution, which allows the devolution of government functions.
The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, in collaboration with Kajiado County, coordinated the transfer as published in Kenya Gazette notices numbers 15320 and 15231 on October 24, 2025.
Instruments handed over
Several key instruments were formally handed over, each representing a critical part of park management:
• Amboseli National Park Map – Officially delineates the park’s boundaries and contours, defining its unique identity and heritage.
• Amboseli Ecosystem Management Plan – Outlines a vision for sustainable conservation of wildlife, vegetation, and the wider ecosystem, ensuring long-term benefits.
• Transition Committee Report – Summarises discussions, recommendations, and resolutions that guided the handover process.
• Deed of Transfer – Legally vests management of the park in Kajiado County, recognising the local community as its rightful custodian.
• Transition Plan – Provides a phased roadmap for assuming management responsibilities while maintaining continuity of park operations.
• Symbolic Insignia – Carvings of elephants, lions, and giraffes, representing Amboseli’s iconic wildlife and Kenya’s rich natural heritage.
President Ruto stressed that these instruments are vital to ensuring the park is managed sustainably and that the local community benefits directly from its resources.
The ceremony also highlighted the cultural and environmental significance of Amboseli, with symbolic insignia of its iconic wildlife presented to the county government.
“The management of Amboseli National Park now stands firmly in the hands of the host community through the county government, ensuring that this treasure remains a source of pride and benefit for all Kenyans,” Ruto concluded.
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