Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has raised serious concerns over the recent handover of Amboseli National Park to the County Government of Kajiado, a move announced by President William Ruto on 8 November 2025.
Seeking a statement from the Senate Standing Committee on Lands, Environment and Natural Resources, Omtatah questioned the constitutional, legal and environmental foundation of the transfer.
He argued that national parks are, by law, vested in the national government, and any alteration to their management directly affects the mandates of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the National Land Commission, and provisions outlined in the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013.
“We must safeguard national heritage assets and ensure that any governance changes strictly uphold the Constitution and public interest,” the senator stated.
Omtatah further requested the committee to establish whether the handover followed due process, including public participation and environmental assessments. He also urged the committee to clarify the revenue-sharing framework under the new arrangement and examine the precedent the transfer might set for other counties seeking control over national conservation resources.
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Earlier this month, President Ruto issued a presidential proclamation formally transferring management of Amboseli National Park from the national government to Kajiado County. The proclamation cites the park’s historical ties to the Maasai community and positions the move as part of efforts to address longstanding communal land claims and advance intergenerational equity.
According to a Gazette Notice dated October 14, the transition will involve a phased revenue-sharing arrangement over three years. In the 2026/2027 financial year, revenues will be split equally between the national and county governments.
The distribution will shift in 2027/2028, with Kajiado County receiving 70 per cent and the national government 30 per cent. By the 2028/2029 financial year, the county is expected to take full control and retain 100 per cent of the park’s revenues.
Amboseli National Park, covering approximately 392 square kilometres, is one of Kenya’s most visited conservation areas. Gazetted in 1974 and recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1991, the park has long been managed by KWS.
By Obegi Malack
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