A section of Narok County residents has backed the directive by President William Ruto to transfer Amboseli National Park to the County Government of Kajiado.
The residents spoke at a public participation forum organised by the advisory committee on the transfer of the park to the County Government of Kajiado held at Narok County Commissioner’s Conference Hall.
The residents who gave their opinion said the transfer will benefit the locals who have coexisted with the wild animals for a long time.
Narok County Executive Member in Charge of Tourism and Wildlife Johnson Sipiteti underscored the importance of devolving the mega resource so that it can benefit the locals directly through employment and cash flow.
He observed that the park was initially managed by the County Council of Kajiado but later transferred to the National Government in the 1970’s.
The CEC noted that over 75 per cent of the wildlife resides outside the park, hence coexisting with humans without any barrier.
“We have now come to the age where we think that for the sake of the Kajiado residents, we must transfer the park to benefit the community,” he said.
He proposed that 40 per cent of the revenue that will be collected from the park go to the county government, 20 per cent to be set aside to directly benefit the community, 20 per cent to be directed to the conservancies that act as buffer zones for the wildlife and the people, and another 20 per cent to be used for planning purposes.
“The 40 per cent that goes directly to the county will be used to boost education through improving school infrastructure, improving the health standards of the people, and building roads and water points for the residents,” said the CEC.
Narok CEC in charge of Information, Communication, and Technology Linus Nairimu also backed the idea, saying the community will benefit from more employment slots, hence boosting the living standards of the people.
“If the park is transferred to the county government, they will have more slots to employ game rangers, revenue clerks, and managers. This will benefit the unemployed youth in the county,” said Nairumu.
Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) in the office of the County Commissioner Caroline Odhiambo, who represented Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia, stressed the importance of public participation forums, saying the residents were free to give their opinion on the matter.
The Cabinet Secretary for the ministry of tourism and wildlife appointed and gazetted an advisory committee to advise on the framework for the transfer of functions of the Amboseli National Park to the county government of Kajiado.
By Ann Salaton
