The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife on Monday launched a technical team of experts to spearhead the transition process of Amboseli National Park.
The team will lay a legal framework for a smooth transition of the park which is currently under the management of the national government to be under the management of the county government of Kajiado.
While launching the technical team at Amboseli National Park, Cabinet Secretary, of Tourism and Wildlife, Dr. Alfred Mutua said the multi-sectoral technical team draws experts from different sectors which include Kenya Wildlife Service, Office of Attorney General, National Land Commission, Council of Governors, Kajiado County among others.
Dr. Mutua said the transition process is after President William Ruto’s directive in August this year that Amboseli National Park be under the management of the Kajiado County government.
The CS further pointed out that the technical committee will fast-track track process of transition under the law promising to gazette it to start work immediately.
He called upon the Maa community to show appreciation to the government by supporting its development agenda.
Dr. Mutua appreciated the community neighboring the park for setting aside one million acres surrounding the park to be part of the park.
On the Wildlife-Human conflict, the CS promised the community that his ministry would fast the reduction of the conflicts by fencing all the areas experiencing wildlife-human conflicts by mid-next year.
He also promised fast-tracking compensation of victims of human-wildlife conflicts by allocating more funds to the compensation kitty adding that previous compensation was hampered by lack of funds.
Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku on his part appreciated President Ruto handing over the management of the park to his government adding that the president corrected a long historical justice to the Maa community.
He allayed fear of mismanagement of the park by the Maa community noting that the local community can manage the park lauding the president for not listening to messages of bad faith from some quarters who were against the handover.
The event was attended by the Governor of Samburu Jonathan Lelit, Governor of Narok Patrick Ole Ntutu among other dignitaries from both the national government and Kajiado County government.
By Kimani Tirus and Leshan Bryce
