President William Ruto has officially handed over the management of Amboseli National Park to Kajiado County, marking a historic milestone in Kenya’s conservation journey and a major victory for local communities who have lived alongside the park for generations.
Speaking during the ceremony on Saturday, President Ruto described the event as a “defining moment” in ensuring that Kenya’s natural resources directly benefit the people closest to them.
“By returning Amboseli to the people of Kajiado, we are integrating local communities into conservation and guaranteeing shared prosperity,” Ruto said.
The park, which began as the Southern Reserve for the Maasai and later became the Maasai Amboseli Game Reserve, has experienced multiple shifts in control from community custodianship to colonial and later national government management.
The transition, anchored in the framework of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, transfers all administrative powers from the national government to the Kajiado County Government. The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife coordinated the process, published under Kenya Gazette Notices No. 15320 and 15231 of October 24, 2025.
Several key instruments were officially handed over, including the Amboseli National Park Map, Ecosystem Management Plan, Transition Committee Report, Deed of Transfer, and Transition Plan. Each represents a vital aspect of the park’s future governance, ensuring ecological integrity and sustainable management.
The symbolic insignia carvings of elephants, lions, and giraffes were also presented, honouring Amboseli’s global reputation for wildlife conservation.
President Ruto emphasized that the move is about more than administrative change. It signifies justice and empowerment for communities that have long been the park’s stewards.
“This is a milestone in our journey towards inclusive growth and intergenerational equity,” he said.
With the handover, Kajiado County now takes full control of Amboseli’s management, revenues, and conservation programs a shift expected to boost local tourism, create jobs, and deepen community participation in environmental protection.
“The management of Amboseli National Park now stands firmly in the hands of the host community through the county government,” Ruto affirmed. “This treasure will remain a source of pride and benefit for all Kenyans.”
