In a significant development for Kajiado County and the wider Maa community, a section of local leaders has lauded President William Ruto for fulfilling his pledge to transfer management of the iconic Amboseli National Park to the county government. The move, they say, is a major step toward addressing long-standing land injustices faced by the Maasai people.

Speaking during a public gathering in Kajiado on Saturday, Governor Joseph Ole Lenku praised the President’s leadership, describing the decision as a show of true statesmanship. He pledged the county’s support for Ruto’s development agenda and political ambitions.

“We as Kajiado residents thank you for facilitating the handover through your Cabinet, and we will support you in your political journey,” Governor Lenku stated.

However, Kajiado Senator Kanar Seki struck a more critical tone, urging President Ruto to grant the county full autonomy over the park’s operations. Seki emphasized that the county government has the capacity to effectively manage the park’s affairs without external oversight.

“The county government can manage that national reserve because it is able,” said the Senator.

The handover follows a 2023 petition by the Maasai community, which prompted the national Cabinet to approve a shared management model between the County Government and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) on a 50:50 revenue-sharing basis.

This move also comes against the backdrop of ongoing human-wildlife conflicts, particularly in pastoralist communities like the Maasai, where traditional grazing needs have often clashed with conservation priorities.

The handover of Amboseli National Park marks a pivotal moment in Kenya’s journey toward devolved conservation management and the recognition of indigenous land rights.