Ruto officially hands over Amboseli National Park to Kajiado County
President William Ruto has officially handed over Amboseli National Park management from the national government to the Kajiado County government.
During his visit to Kajiado County on Saturday, November 8, 2025, Ruto made the announcement, which will see Kajiado County get full control of the national park.
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“Therefore, in exercise of the powers and authority conferred upon the head of state, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, do hereby ordain, declare, and direct that the management of Amboseli National Park is hereby vested in the county government of Kajiado,” Ruto said.
At the time, Ruto noted that the Amboseli National Park, which was previously known as the Southern Reserve for Maasai, had undergone a remarkable evolution from Maasai ancestral ownership through a period of colonial control to joint stewardship by the government and the local community.
“Amboseli National Park, previously known as the Southern Reserve for Maasai and later the Maasai Amboseli Game Reserve, has undergone a remarkable evolution from Maasai ancestral ownership through a period of colonial control to joined stewardship by the government and the local community,” Ruto said.
Ruto confirmed that the National Government, through the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, jointly with the County Government of Kajiado, executed a framework for the transfer of the management of Amboseli National Park as notified by the Kenya Gazette notice.
“The National Government, through the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, jointly with the County government of Kajiado, executed a framework for the transfer of the management of Amboseli National Park as notified by Kenya Gazette notice no. 15320,” Ruto said.
Deed of transfer
Gazetted on October 24, 2025, the agreement outlines the details of the handover, including the revenue-sharing framework and the planned transition process.
“The National Government, in consideration of the mutual agreements set forth in this Deed, hereby transfers, conveys, and assigns to Kajiado County Government the management functions of Amboseli National Park,” read part of the notice.
Under the deed, Kajiado County assumes full responsibility for the park’s operations, including conservation, wildlife protection, and tourism promotion.
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Worth noting, after the official transfer on November 8, 2025, the transfer will remain in force for 15 years and is subject to renewal.
The transfer will see the national government retain oversight of certain functions, while the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) will continue to own the park.
According to the gazette notice, the transfer aligns with Kenya’s constitutional provisions on devolution, which allow functions to be transferred between government levels where more effective management is possible.
Revenue sharing
On the other hand, the revenues from the park will be jointly collected via the E-Citizen platform, with a phased sharing plan.
The plan, which dates from 2028/2029 onwards, will see Kajiado County retain 100% of revenues, while 5% of collections will remain with the National Government to support research and ecological monitoring.
Afterwards, in the years 2026/2027, the revenue will be shared at 50% each for national and county governments.
And in 2027/2028, the county share will then rise to 70%.
Meanwhile, Kajiado County is tasked with maintaining ecological integrity, enhancing ranger training and security measures, and promoting sustainable tourism with improved services.
In addition, Kajiado County will be expected to engage at least 75% of local communities in conservation programmes and submit annual performance reports to both the National Assembly and Kajiado County Assembly.
