Kajiado County, Kenya — In a landmark shift toward devolved conservation, Amboseli National Park has entered a phased co‑management agreement, placing its day-to-day operations under Kajiado County, while the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) retains statutory oversight of conservation and protection functions.

Institutional Realignment

• In August 2023, President William Ruto directed the handover of Amboseli from KWS to the Kajiado County Government, aligning with earlier recommendations from UNESCO and a 2005 executive order by former President Mwai Kibaki  .

• By November 14, 2024, Cabinet formally approved the transfer of ownership, paving the way for a county-led operational model under a shared oversight arrangement  .

Transition Roadmap

• A Transition Strategic Plan, launched in July 2024, outlines how Amboseli will evolve into a third-generation park—where wildlife conservation and sustainable livelihoods co-exist through community engagement, NGO participation, and national agency collaboration, led by Governor Joseph Ole Lenku  .

• Under this model, KWS continues providing technical support—especially in security, anti-poaching patrols, and ecosystem integrity—working in tandem with a semi-autonomous county agency managing tourism, local employment, and infrastructure  .

 Revenue Sharing & Governance Framework

• President Ruto mandated a 50:50 revenue-sharing scheme between the national and county governments, ensuring local communities benefit directly from park-generated income while KWS retains funding for cross-ecosystem initiatives  .

• Advisory committees led by former Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Maliti confirmed the transfer’s legal feasibility, tasked with finalizing asset handover, establishing institutional arrangements, and signing a formal deed after a 14‑day public notice period  .

 Key Takeaways

 Broader Implications

This co‑management framework signals a decisive move toward localized stewardship of a globally celebrated ecosystem, reconciling long-standing community claims with national conservation imperatives. For Kajiado County, the management of Amboseli is both an economic opportunity and a test of governance capacity. For KWS, the model requires balancing devolved authority with regulatory expertise.

If effectively implemented, this phased approach could redistribute conservation dividends, model inclusive park governance, and reinforce Amboseli’s legacy as a shared natural heritage stewarded by both nation and community.