AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK – The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife initiated a new phase for Amboseli National Park with the establishment of a technical team aimed at overseeing the park’s transition of management.

According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Alfred Mutua, the technical team was launched on Monday and is tasked with creating a legal framework to ensure a seamless transfer of the park’s management from the national government to the county government of Kajiado. The team, which convened at Amboseli National Park, comprises experts from the Kenya Wildlife Service, Office of Attorney General, National Land Commission, Council of Governors, and local representatives from Kajiado County.

The transition follows President William Ruto’s directive from August, which specified that the park should come under the jurisdiction of the Kajiado County government. Dr. Mutua announced that the committee will expedite the transition in accordance with the law and will be gazetted to commence its work immediately.

The Cabinet Secretary also addressed the community surrounding the park, acknowledging their contribution of one million acres to expand the park’s territory and encouraging their continued support of the government’s developmental initiatives. Furthermore, Dr. Mutua addressed the ongoing wildlife-human conflict, committing to the fencing of conflict hotspots by the following year and ensuring prompt compensation for those affected, which was previously delayed due to funding issues.

Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku expressed gratitude for President Ruto’s decision, viewing it as rectifying a historical oversight and assuring that the Maa community is fully capable of managing the park, contrary to skeptics.

Distinguished attendees of the event included the Governor of Samburu, Jonathan Lelit, the Governor of Narok, Patrick Ole Ntutu, and other officials from both the national and Kajiado County governments.