KAJIADO, Kenya — In a landmark event hailed as a victory for community-led conservation, President William Ruto on Saturday officially transferred the management of Amboseli National Park from the national government to the County Government of Kajiado, returning stewardship of the iconic wildlife sanctuary to the Maa community.
The handover, conducted during the third edition of the Maa Cultural and Tourism Festival in Amboseli, marked what leaders described as a new chapter in Kenya’s conservation journey — one that recognizes local communities as essential partners rather than adversaries.
“This is more than a ceremonial gesture; it is a bold statement that communities are not enemies of conservation,” said President Ruto.
“The real threat to our natural heritage lies in unregulated commercial exploitation and greed.”
The transfer fulfills a long-standing demand by the people of Kajiado, who have historically lived alongside the park’s wildlife and borne the social and environmental costs of conservation.
Under the new framework, Kajiado County will oversee the park’s management, tourism activities, and community benefit-sharing mechanisms — a move aimed at ensuring that the proceeds from natural resources directly improve local livelihoods.
The event, held against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, brought together national and county leaders, conservationists, and community elders in a colourful celebration of Maa culture, unity, and resilience.
Officials said the handover aligns with Kenya’s broader agenda of devolving natural resource management and promoting sustainable tourism. It is also expected to strengthen human-wildlife coexistence and environmental protection in one of the country’s most visited parks.
“We are committed to sustainable development that places communities at the centre of conservation,” the President said. “The benefits of our natural resources must uplift not only the people of Kajiado but the entire nation.”
Amboseli, renowned for its large elephant herds and panoramic views of Kilimanjaro, becomes one of the few national parks in Kenya now under county management — a precedent that could reshape how conservation is governed across the country.
