The Maasai community has committed to setting aside 1 million acres of land surrounding Amboseli National Park as wildlife buffer zones, reinforcing protection of the park and its ecosystem following its recent transfer to the Kajiado County Government.
The announcement was made during celebrations marking the official handover of the 39,206-acre park, a move hailed by leaders and residents as a long-overdue correction of historical injustices. Governor Joseph Ole Lenku described the transfer as a “double celebration,” combining the return of Amboseli with a renewed commitment to conservation.
“This is a historical injustice that was committed against our people many years ago,” said Ole Lenku. “Every administration has been petitioned by the Maa nation to correct this. We celebrate President Ruto’s courage not just to acknowledge the injustice, but to take decisive action to correct it.”
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The governor noted that previous efforts to devolve park management, including under President Mwai Kibaki, had stalled due to unclear factors. “To the best of our knowledge, Kibaki attempted to do this, but it did not happen. Today, we see the truth being done,” he added.
The transfer was formalized through a gazette notice dated October 14, and is expected to ease long-standing tensions over human-wildlife conflict, which has affected communities living around the park for decades. Ole Lenku emphasized that the park’s return is not only symbolic but economically transformative.
“This is a game-changer. We cannot underrate the economic value of this park, but we also want to say that this wildlife is our heritage. These are our animals, and we are their custodians,” he said.
President William Ruto, who presided over the handover ceremony, described the event as a milestone in Kenya’s journey toward inclusive development and community-led conservation. He affirmed that the transfer empowers local communities to take ownership of natural resources and participate meaningfully in their protection.
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“By returning the park to the people of Kajiado County, we are ensuring that local communities are fully integrated into conservation efforts for shared benefits,” said Ruto. “This is a milestone in our journey towards inclusive growth and intergenerational equity.”
The commitment by the community to preserve an additional million acres as buffer zones signals an important shift in conservation strategy centered on indigenous communities as active partners in protecting Kenya’s biodiversity. Local leaders say the move will not only safeguard wildlife corridors but also unlock new opportunities in eco-tourism, land management, and climate resilience.
By Masaki Enock
