14 October 2025 marks a defining moment in Kenya’s conservation and devolution journey — the date the Deed of Transfer of Management Functions for Amboseli National Park was formally signed and gazetted under Gazette Notice No. 15230.
This landmark agreement officially transfers the park’s management from the National Government to the County Government of Kajiado, giving legal effect to the Presidential Directive first issued in August 2023 at the Maa Cultural Festival in Kajiado.
Responding to long-standing appeals from Maasai elders and local leaders, the President acknowledged that the 1973 Presidential Decree by Jomo Kenyatta, which converted Amboseli from a Maasai group reserve into a national park, had excluded local communities from direct benefit and stewardship.
He framed the decision as part of a broader effort to address historical land injustices and strengthen county participation in natural resource governance, while preserving Amboseli’s global conservation standards.
A New Era for Amboseli
The Deed of Transfer — signed by Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano for Tourism and Wildlife, and Governor Joseph ole Lenku for Kajiado County — establishes a new framework for joint stewardship of one of Africa’s most iconic ecosystems. It recognizes Amboseli’s global importance while embedding conservation leadership at the county level.
The agreement follows nearly two years of consultations, capacity assessments, and legal groundwork led by the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) and the National Advisory Committee on the Transfer of Amboseli National Park.
Under the new arrangement, Kajiado County Government assumes day-to-day management responsibilities, while the National Government (through KWS and the State Department for Wildlife) retains oversight roles in research, ecological monitoring, and compliance with national and international conservation obligations.
What This Deed Actually Does
- Transfers management functions (not land ownership) from the National Government (through KWS) to Kajiado County, as allowed by Articles 187 and 189 of the Constitution and the Intergovernmental Relations Act.
- Defines scope via annexed schedules (functions for wildlife protection, tourism services, research support, infrastructure, visitor services, enforcement, community relations, etc.).
- Sets performance standards linked to Amboseli’s 2020–2030 Management Plan, including ecological integrity, security, facility upkeep, visitor satisfaction, community outreach, conflict mitigation, revenue growth, and compliance with laws and treaties.
- Creates a transition and review regime: a defined Transition Period to 30 June 2026, annual reporting to Parliament and the County Assembly, and periodic performance reviews.
What Stays National (and Why It Matters)
- Land title: Remains vested in Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
- Existing leases and concessions: Continue to bind the National Government; the County will be brought in via addenda for the transferred management functions.
- National research mandate: A guaranteed 5% of total park revenues is reserved in perpetuity for national research, split equally between the State Department for Wildlife (SDW) and WRTI.
Money & Revenue Sharing
- Revenue collection: Jointly by the County and National Government via eCitizen; funds can also be appropriated by the County Assembly as AiA.
- Perpetual research allocation: 5% of gross revenues to SDW/WRTI (split 50/50).
- Three-year revenue-sharing ramp (from 1 July 2026):
- FY 2026/27: County 50% / National 50%
- FY 2027/28: County 70% / National 30%
- FY 2028/29: County 100% / National 0%
- Transition financing: County may receive a portion of FY 2025/26 revenues to cover incidental transfer costs.
- Legacy obligations: National Government will offset all existing contractual obligations related to routine operations by 30 June 2026.
People, Structures & Capacity
- Human resources:
- Phased transfer of personnel; essential staff at Amboseli are retained for continuity (annexed list).
- National Government pays emoluments for stationed staff until 30 June 2026.
- County will absorb identified staff, and both levels will manage secondments/placements as needed.
- Capacity targets:
- County to deploy 104 personnel (per capacity assessment).
- County to establish a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency (SAGA) to manage the park, as recommended.
- Joint capacity-building program to be designed and implemented by both levels of government.
Performance Standards (Selected Highlights)
- Ecological integrity: Continuous monitoring and effective habitat management.
- Security: Regular ranger recruitment and training, aligned with national and community collaboration.
- Operations: Routine maintenance and efficiency standards for facilities and services.
- Tourism quality: Target 90% year-on-year visitor satisfaction.
- Community engagement: Reach 75% of local community annually through conservation education/outreach.
- Human–wildlife coexistence: Conflict mitigation and community programs to reduce incidents.
- Revenue performance: 20% annual growth target through strategic marketing and efficient resource use.
- Compliance: Adherence to all applicable laws, conventions, and treaties.
Community & Landscape Commitments
- County to coordinate and incentivize community land-use for conservation — wildlife corridors, dispersal areas, and conservancies — targeting at least 1 million acres set aside for conservation viability.
- National Government to provide verified asset inventories and current wildlife/habitat data to anchor planning and reporting.
Legal, Governance & Reporting
- County frameworks to enact:
- Updated Management Plan implementation alignment
- Ecosystem plan
- Standard operating procedures
- Resourcing framework
- Reporting: Annual reports to the National Assembly and Kajiado County Assembly on Deed implementation.
- Reviews:
- Annual performance reviews, with the first in Year 2 after commencement.
- Comprehensive Deed review every 15 years (aligned with the Deed’s renewable term).
- Dispute resolution: Negotiation first; if unresolved in 30 days, escalation through Intergovernmental Relations Act structures.
Transition Milestones (to 30 June 2026)
- Effective date: 4 November 2025 (21 days after execution).
- By 30 June 2026:
- National Government continues personnel payroll for stationed staff.
- County to establish a Transition Management Committee and align its CIDP to the Amboseli 2020–2030 Plan.
- National Government to verify and share all assets, leases, and contractual obligations and issue written notices to lessees within 7 days of the Deed date.
- County to enact enabling legal instruments to anchor the transferred functions.
Signatories & Oversight
- National Government: Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Tourism & Wildlife; witnessed by the Attorney-General.
- County Government of Kajiado: Governor; witnessed by the County Attorney.
- IGRTC: Present through the Chairperson, underscoring intergovernmental oversight.
Significance for Kenya’s Devolution and Conservation
The Amboseli transfer stands as Kenya’s most significant test of devolved conservation governance. It demonstrates how national and county governments can share responsibility for biodiversity protection while recognizing local rights and aspirations.
If implemented successfully, it could become a model for future park transfers — balancing ecological integrity, community benefit, and economic sustainability.
For Kajiado County, it represents both a homecoming and a responsibility: the opportunity to lead in conserving a globally renowned ecosystem while ensuring the Maasai communities that have coexisted with Amboseli’s wildlife for generations remain its greatest stewards.
In Summary
Amboseli’s management is now officially under Kajiado County Government, with the National Government retaining strategic oversight, scientific support, and legislative guardianship.
This milestone closes a 50-year chapter since the 1973 Presidential Decree — and opens a new one rooted in partnership, devolution, and local empowerment.
What to Watch Next (Amboseli.ke will track these)
- Effective Date:
- The Deed takes effect on 4 November 2025. Amboseli.ke will track timely commencement, notifications to assemblies, and activation of the joint transition structures.
- Leases & Concessions:
- Watch for gazetted addenda bringing Kajiado County into existing tourism, filming, and concession agreements within the park.
- New Management Agency:
- Establishment of a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency (SAGA) to oversee park operations — including its legal notice, leadership, and staffing rollout.
- Personnel & Training:
- Deployment of the 104 park staff and implementation of capacity-building and ranger training before June 2026.
- Transition Oversight:
- Functioning of the Transition Management Committee, publication of progress reports, and smooth operational continuity throughout the handover year.
- Revenue Sharing & Transparency:
- Implementation of the joint eCitizen revenue system, adherence to the 50–50 to 100% county share formula (2026–2029), and clarity on reinvestment of funds in conservation and communities.
- 5% Research Fund:
- Use of the dedicated 5% national share for wildlife research and ecological monitoring.
- Legal & Policy Alignment:
- Integration of the Amboseli Management Plan (2020–2030) into Kajiado’s County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) and enactment of supporting county laws.
- Assets & Contracts:
- Completion and publication of the verified asset and contract inventory by June 2026.
- Community Participation:
- Progress toward securing one million acres for wildlife corridors and conservancies, and community involvement in management decisions.
- Accountability & Reviews:
- Delivery of annual reports to both assemblies and the first joint performance review in 2027.
- Tourism & Conservation Impact:
- Changes in visitor experience, revenue trends, wildlife numbers, and habitat health as early indicators of county management success.
Sources:
- Kenya Gazette Notice No. 15230 — Executed 14 October 2025