Nairobi: The management of Amboseli National Park has officially been transferred to the Kajiado County Government, following the signing of a Deed of Transfer of Management Functions on October 14, 2025, and its gazettement on October 24, 2025.
According to Kenya News Agency, the national government transferred, conveyed and assigned to Kajiado County the full management functions of the park, a move that takes effect 21 days after signing and will run for 15 years, subject to renewal. The ownership of Amboseli remains with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), which will continue to provide oversight on key functions. The county will now oversee conservation, wildlife security, and tourism operations within the park. Revenue collection will be done through the e-Citizen platform under a phased sharing arrangement.
In the 2026/2027 financial year, revenue will be split equally between the two levels of government before the county's share rises to 70 per cent in 2027/2028. From 2028/2029, Kajiado County will retain 100 per cent of collections, while five per cent will remain with the national government to support research and ecological monitoring.
A transition committee will supervise the handing-over until June 30, 2026, during which the national government will continue paying salaries and managing existing contracts. All current employees will be retained, with the county expected to gradually take over human resource functions and establish a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency (SAGA) to run the park more efficiently.
Under the agreement, Kajiado County is required to maintain ecological integrity, enhance ranger training and security, improve tourism services, ensure at least 75 per cent community involvement in conservation programmes, and file annual performance reports to both the National Assembly and the Kajiado County Assembly. Disputes will first be handled through negotiations, and may be escalated to intergovernmental mechanisms if unresolved within 30 days.
Governor Joseph Ole Lenku welcomed the gazettement, calling it 'historic' for residents of Kajiado and the wider Maasai community. He said the move would help correct past injustices and ensure locals benefit directly from Amboseli's abundant tourism economy.
The announcement comes days before the Maa Cultural and Tourism Festival scheduled for November 4-9, 2025, where the shift in management is expected to feature prominently. The transfer follows a detailed roadmap drawn up by national and county technical teams to oversee the phased relocation of staff, assets, and services.
Conservation experts say the shift marks a key test of devolved management in Kenya, placing decision-making closer to communities that live with the wildlife. They add that the success of the transition will depend on Kajiado County's capacity to protect the park's ecological integrity while growing tourism revenue.