Residents reject push to put Amboseli park in hands of Kajiado

Nyeri residents have rejected proposal to transfer Amboseli National Park, currently managed by National Government through Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kajiado County.

The advisory committee on the transfer of Amboseli National Park led by Rachael Wanjiku heard from public that other parks, including Mara, which were transferred to the counties, have failed due to poor management, untrained staff to handle wildlife and lack of capacity from the administration managing them.

The public told the committee that the Amboseli National Park is a natural resource that should benefit the whole country and not a few communities.

David Ndegwa from Kieni West said, Kenyans would not have a chance to enjoy natural resources in this park, noting that Aberdare and Mt Kenya natural parks are water towers in the whole country.

“This transfer of the park to Kajiado County will lead to disunity by denying the public the right to access it and might reverse the conservation that has been maintained by the KWS officers,” he said.

Josphat Gikonyo, a private tourist operator and a tour guide from Nyeri, said transferring the Amboseli National Park to Kajiado County would destroy the conservation efforts that have been well sustained by the KWS and the community.

He said the county cannot maintain infrastructure, including roads and bridges inside the park, connected to other natural parks.

“The animals will be under threat exposed to human-wildlife conflict due to cultural practices such as killing a lion become a Moran,” Gikonyo said.

Peterson Maina from Naromoru said that the park should be managed by KWS, which has the capacity to manage and secure wild animals and natural heritage and transferring it to the county will interfere with the ecosystem.

Edward Wamutitu, a conservator, said that the transfer would interfere with the migration of wild from Mara to Amboseli and Tsavo West, observing that the county cannot manage the park.

John Wachira said that the timing was wrong and that the push to transfer the park is not genuine, the revenue collected and resources inside the park are attracting fewer tourists.

He also noted that KWS has the machinery and personnel, including trackers to the wildlife, unlike the county, transferring it will destroy the good wildlife practices maintained by KWS officers.

Michelle Njambi, a tourism student, said that the national park should remain at the national government level to offer recreation and employment to all, and attract intentional tourism.

Wanjiku, the committee chairperson, assured the public that their views would be considered and the committee would advise the president accordingly.