The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has initiated the process of handing over control of the Amboseli National Park to the Kajiado County government.
In a notice on June 11, the Ministry announced that it had appointed and gazetted an Advisory Committee to develop the framework for transferring the park’s functions to the county government.
This move follows President William Ruto’s directive to transfer the park from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
He said the transfer was prompted by recommendations put forth by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as well as an Executive Order issued earlier by the late President Mwai Kibaki.
“Following a Presidential Directive in August 2023 for the transfer of the Amboseli National Park to the County government of Kajiado, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife vide Kenya Gazette Notice No. 1939 dated 23rd February 2024 appointed and gazette an Advisory Committee to advise on the framework for the transfer of functions of the Amboseli National Park to the County Government of Kajiado,” the Ministry said.
Furthermore, the Advisory Committee has invited stakeholders and members of the public to county-based citizen engagement meetings from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Also Read: Govt Explains Reasons for Banning Private Cars in Maasai Mara Park
This initiative aligns with constitutional and legislative requirements to ensure broad consultations and public participation regarding the directive to transfer the functions of Amboseli National Park to the Kajiado County government.
Public Participation on Amboseli Park Takeover
On June 24, 2024, the public participation exercise will take place in Kajiado at the Maasai Technical Training Institute in Kimana Social Hall, in the Nyanza region at the Regional Commissioner’s Hall in Kisumu, and in the Central region at Nyeri Town CDF Hall.
Meanwhile, on June 25, the public participation exercise will be held at the Kisii Social Hall in the Nyanza region and at the Meru Social Hall in the Upper Eastern region.
Furthermore, on June 27, the advisory committee will receive proposals from the Lower Eastern region at the Machakos Youth Centre, while those in the Western region will share their views at the Regional Commissioner’s Hall in Kakamega, and the Northeastern region at the Isiolo Social Hall.
Also Read: Sub-Saharan Africa’s Vulnerability to Climate Crisis Sparks Urgent Call for Action
In the Rift Valley region, public participation will occur at the Regional Commissioner’s Hall in Nakuru on July 1 and at the Eldoret Municipal Hall on July 3.
Additionally, the committee will gather views from the Coast region in Kilifi on July 4 at the Nidhamia Social Hall and in Mombasa at the Tononoka Social Hall on July 8.
Finally, Nairobi County will present their views and proposals at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on July 10, 2024.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
