Ruto’s Cabinet Approves Transfer of Amboseli National Park to Kajiado County

In a significant policy shift, President William Ruto’s Cabinet has approved the transfer of Amboseli National Park to the County Government of Kajiado. The decision, reached during a Cabinet meeting on November 14, 2024, at State House in Nairobi, followed months of intense lobbying by local stakeholders.

President Ruto had previously directed then-Tourism Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza to facilitate the transfer, citing the Maa community’s exemplary conservation practices. “UNESCO has identified that the Maa Community has a culture that promotes human-wildlife coexistence and are the best conservationists,” Ruto remarked. He emphasized that even former President Mwai Kibaki had acknowledged the Maasai’s conservation skills, advocating for the park’s management by Kajiado County.

The decision transfers management of Amboseli, previously under the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), to the Kajiado County Government. This move is intended to enhance local conservation efforts and improve revenue generation strategies.

Governor Joseph Ole Lenku, a key advocate for the transfer, expressed optimism that the move would foster peaceful human-wildlife coexistence. In a Facebook post, Lenku wrote, “Mr President William Samoei Ruto, Thank You for Amboseli! Since you assumed office, you have been very clear on the correction of historical injustices meted on local communities. Today’s Cabinet Approval of the Transfer of Amboseli National Park to the County Government of Kajiado, is yet another manifestation of your commitment to keep your word that Amboseli MUST return to its rightful owners: The Maa People.”

Lenku acknowledged the challenges faced in achieving this transfer but highlighted the broad support it received. “It has been a long journey replete with legal hurdles but enjoying abundant goodwill not only from the people of the Maa Nation, but also from the people of Kenya as witnessed in the overwhelming support during the public participation forums conducted across the country,” he stated. He concluded his post with, “We are ready for Amboseli!”

However, the decision has not been without controversy. Conservationists, including the East African Wild Life Society (EAWLS), have raised concerns about Kajiado County’s capacity to manage the park effectively. Nancy Ogonje, Executive Director of EAWLS, argued that the transfer could undermine Amboseli’s status as a national park and jeopardize its UNESCO designation as a Biosphere Reserve. She stressed that such a move might expose the park to increased human activity, threatening its ecological integrity and tourism potential.

Ogonje also questioned the historical and legal justifications for the transfer, suggesting that the Kajiado County Government might not have the technical capacity to manage the park as effectively as KWS. She called for a thorough assessment of Kajiado’s capabilities before finalizing the transfer.

Moreover, there are broader implications for wildlife governance in Kenya. The move sets a precedent that could encourage other counties to seek control over national parks, potentially diluting the authority and expertise of institutions like KWS. Conservationists warn that this could unravel decades of progress in wildlife conservation.

Economic considerations also play a critical role in this debate. Amboseli National Park is a major tourist destination, generating significant revenue that supports conservation efforts. With about 2,000 elephants, the park is a premier site for observing these majestic creatures. Critics argue that the county government, lacking in wildlife conservation expertise, could threaten this vital income source.

In response to these concerns, Ogonje advocated for a robust discourse on benefit-sharing mechanisms for protected areas in Kenya. She emphasized the need to embed fair and effective benefit-sharing within the wildlife legislative framework, ensuring local communities receive their rightful share of benefits from conservation efforts.

As Kenya drafts new wildlife laws to align with the National Wildlife Policy 2020, the preservation of Amboseli National Park remains a priority. The challenge will be balancing local community involvement with maintaining the park’s ecological and economic value for future generations.

For more details, read the full story on DW News, which provides comprehensive coverage and reporting on this development.