Ruto Hails Amboseli Handover as Landmark in Correcting Historical Injustices

By East Africa Journal Reporter

President William Ruto has described the handover of Amboseli National Park to the Kajiado County government as one of his administration’s major milestones in addressing historical injustices inflicted on Kenyans by past regimes.

Speaking in Amboseli, Kajiado County, on Saturday, President Ruto said the move was part of a broader effort to restore fairness and inclusivity in governance.

“Transferring Kenya Ports Authority operations from Mombasa to Nairobi was an injustice to coastal people, which I corrected immediately after taking office,” he said.

He cited four key measures as evidence of his government’s commitment to correcting past wrongs, the return of KPA operations to Mombasa, the lifting of mandatory vetting for North Eastern residents before issuance of national identity cards, the award of a Mau Forest land title deed to the Narok County government, and the transfer of Amboseli National Park to Kajiado County.

Under the new arrangement, the park will be jointly managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service and the county government through a semi-autonomous agency, operating on a revenue-sharing formula.

According to the Deed of Transfer seen by The East Africa Journal, the county and national government will share revenue on a 50:50 basis in the 2026–2027 fiscal year, shifting to 70:30 in favour of the county the following year, before full transfer, 100 percent in the 2028–2029 financial year.

Kajiado County expects to collect at least KSh 300 million annually from the park’s revenues.

The handover coincided with the climax of the week-long Maa Cultural Festival, which rotates among the Maa-speaking counties to celebrate their heritage and empower local communities. During the ceremony, President Ruto was installed as a Maasai elder by community leaders.

“This transfer represents what Kenya must always stand for: justice, inclusion, and shared prosperity,” said President Ruto. “It affirms that the people living closest to wildlife are not enemies of conservation. The government remains fully committed to protecting wildlife and honouring all international obligations.”

The President compared the transfer to his government’s recent decision to end the discriminatory vetting of North Eastern residents seeking national IDs.

“Today, I correct another historical injustice by returning Amboseli to its rightful custodians, the Kajiado County government,” he said. “We have also secured a title deed for the Mau Complex and are fencing it to prevent encroachment.”

He cautioned the Maa community against allowing “politics, division, or greed” to undermine the park’s management, vowing to personally ensure his administration provides oversight and support to the county.

President Ruto also highlighted what he termed as major economic achievements under his leadership, saying his administration had stabilised inflation, exchange rates, and dollar reserves.

“Our economy is now on a positive trajectory. We are building an economy that works not for a few, but for all Kenyans,” he said.

The President noted progress in universal health coverage, with 27 million Kenyans now accessing basic healthcare under the Social Health Authority (SHA), increased agricultural productivity through value addition, and expanded youth employment opportunities.

“Kenya being called a third-world country is a mistake we must correct. We have the experts, resources, and manpower to be a first-world nation,” he added.

President Ruto pledged KSh 27 million to 47 Kajiado women’s cooperatives to strengthen their Ushanga Initiative.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the government was negotiating new markets in Qatar and other global destinations for livestock products to benefit pastoralists.

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano announced that plans were underway to elevate the Maa Cultural Festival to an international tourism event.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, on his part, criticised opposition leaders for what he called “empty criticism” of government programmes, saying they had no viable alternatives.

“Since independence, only President Ruto’s administration has managed to equalise Kenyans in access to healthcare, education, and business opportunities,” he said.

Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku, who also serves as the Maa community spokesperson, hailed the handover as historic, promising to double the park’s revenues within two years.

“You confronted a 50-year-old monster of injustice by returning Amboseli to the Maa people,” he told the President. “For this gesture, we will support your re-election in 2027.”

His sentiments were echoed by Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu and Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit, who praised the move as a victory for devolution and community empowerment.