The decision to transfer the ownership of the park was discussed and approved during a Cabinet meeting Thursday at State House chaired by President William Ruto.
This means that the county government of Kajiado will take up the responsibility of managing the park previously run by Kenya Wildlife Service on behalf of the national government.
Ruto made the decision to handover the park to the county in August last year asking the then Tourism Cabinet Secretary Penina Malonza to ensure this is expedited.
He noted that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation identified that the Maa Community has a culture that promotes human-wildlife existence and are the best conservationists.
"While President Mwai Kibaki by executive said that this should be managed by the County Government of Kajiado, I confirm that this will be the case. That process is now going to be worked out between Tourism and the County Government of Kajiado,” he announced.
The process to actualise this commenced in November of the same year (2023) with the Ministry of Tourism launching a technical team of experts to spearhead the transition process.
The team was expected to lay a legal framework for a smooth transition of the park which is currently under the management of the national government to be under the management of the county.
In April this year, the Ministry of Tourism invited the public to give their views on the planned transfer of the Park.
Kenyans were asked to submit their views not later than April 29, 2024.
The park is said to generate over Sh1.8 billion in revenue yearly.
A section of Kenyans had opposed the transfers arguing that it will only benefit the Maa community, locking out other Kenyans from its proceeds.
Out of the amount, Sh20 million is channeled towards supporting the community in Kajiado every year through Community Social Responsibility(CSR) initiatives.
The process of transfer will involve the conversion of the land from public land being held by the national government to community land to be held by Kajiado County in trust of the community.
The Park covers 392 Kilometres squared in Kajiado at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro.
Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has expressed his happiness following the decision by Cabinet as he thanked President Ruto for honoring his pledge.
“Mr President William Samoei Ruto, Thank you for Amboseli,” he wrote.
He said the approval is a manifestation of his commitment to keep the word of ensuring Amboseli returns to its 'rightful owners' -the Maa People.
“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,” Lenku stated.
