Cabinet approves Amboseli park handover to Kajiado County in landmark conservation shift
The handover, executed under Article 187 of the Constitution, introduces a co-management framework where each level of government has defined responsibilities—Kajiado County will oversee operations, and KWS will ensure wildlife protection and adherence to environmental standards.
The Cabinet has officially approved the transfer of Amboseli National Park to the Kajiado County government, fulfilling a directive by President William Ruto after sustained appeals from the Maasai community.
Under the new arrangement, Kajiado County will handle the park’s day-to-day operations, while the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) will continue to lead national conservation efforts.
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The handover, executed under Article 187 of the Constitution, introduces a co-management framework where each level of government has defined responsibilities—Kajiado County will oversee operations, and KWS will ensure wildlife protection and adherence to environmental standards.
Compensation to KWS
To offset the anticipated loss of revenue for KWS, the Cabinet has instructed the National Treasury to provide compensation. In addition, a portion of the park’s income will still support national conservation initiatives.
“The move is intended to empower local communities, promote sustainable stewardship and ensure equitable sharing of ecological and economic benefits,” read the Cabinet dispatch.
Amboseli has become Kenya’s fastest-growing wildlife park in terms of tourism, surpassing even traditional favourites like the Maasai Mara.
According to the latest Economic Survey, visitor numbers to Amboseli rose by 19 per cent, while Maasai Mara saw an 18 per cent decline over the same period.
Tour operators attribute Amboseli’s growth to increased domestic travel, spurred by affordability, improved access, and a renewed interest in local adventures. Last year, the park welcomed 266,000 visitors—up from just 50,000 five years ago.
Overall visits to national parks and game reserves increased by 2.8 per cent, from 3.6 million in 2023 to 3.7 million in 2024.
Amboseli’s rising popularity has also been driven by social media buzz, including widely shared images of elephants set against Mount Kilimanjaro and influencer-led campaigns such as #WhyAmboseli, which have captured the interest of younger, digital-savvy travellers.
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