By
Stephen Letoo
Published on: November 10, 2025 10:35 (EAT)
An African elephant bull crowns itself in Embusel on the last day of the Maa Cultural and Tourism Festival. Photo: Stephen Letoo
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Derived
from the Maasai word “Embusel”, which means fine salty (alkaline) dust,
Amboseli is living true to its name.
A place of tasty waters and lush
vegetation where people, livestock, economic activities, rich Maasai culture,
and wildlife thrive.
According
to locals, the alkaline salt and the warm relationship between wildlife and
humans have kept Amboseli National Park going since its inception by the
colonial government in the early 1900s.
“I
heard someone asking what the meaning of Amboseli is; it means the white dust
that tastes like salt. In the past, we never used to buy mineral salt for our
cows because once they licked embusel, that was enough,” Margaret Stoni, a
resident, said during Maa Festival 2025.
“Embusel
is a Maasai name meaning a place where salt is found. Amboseli and Embusel mean
the same thing. It is like saying President William and another person says
President Ruto. Welcome to Amboseli,” noted Joshua Barneet, another resident of
Amboseli.
Famously
known for its big-tusked elephant herds, Barneet said that locals have become
so accustomed to living side by side with the jumbos that some of them can even
identify which elephant belongs to which family, among other details.
“There
are people here who can identify these elephants, and they can accurately tell
which animal belongs to which group. They can also tell which one belongs to
the ‘wild’ family and which one belongs to the humble and respectful family,”
he says.
At
the same time, the Maasai Council of Elders has backed the move by President
Ruto to ‘return’ Amboseli National Park to the community through the County
Government of Kajiado.
Maasai
Council of Elders Vice Chairman, Richard Oloitiptip, said that this year’s Maa
Festival is a special one since it coincides with the handover of Amboseli
National Park to the community.
“We
are here at Amboseli celebrating the Maasai culture, and we are very happy to
see the huge turnout. They have come here to celebrate the decision made by our
President, William Ruto. We thank him for handing over the park and for
remembering the Maasai community,” he said.
Amboseli National Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, recognised globally as a model for promoting conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and scientific learning. Photo: Stephen LetooIn 1974, Amboseli was gazetted as a national park and, later in 1991, recognised as a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve. “Though the intention behind this recognition was noble and well-meaning, born out of a desire to strengthen conservation, the outcome carried painful consequences, leaving wounds, rifts, and disruptions that even the passage of time could not heal. The Maa community lost management and benefits, and for decades, you carried that pain with dignity, patience, and faith that one day justice would prevail,” President William Ruto said in a historic speech during the handover ceremony of the park to the host community on 8 November 2025.“This is a historic event because it shows that the country’s leadership trusts communities to lead conservation,” said Margaret Mereyian from the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). “So, as a conservationist at AWF and also one of the community members here, I am very happy and delighted. Community-led conservation is placing communities at the centre of conversation.”Speaking during the 3rd Maa Festival, Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku, who was joined by his colleagues Patrick Ole Ntutu (Narok) and Jonathan Lati Leletit (Samburu), termed it a game-changer. Lenku noted that residents have suffered huge losses over the years because of human–wildlife conflict, including deaths, and will finally enjoy the benefits of hosting such a globally acclaimed natural resource.“This is a game-changer because it also shows that the truth has been done. We cannot underrate the economic value of the same, but we also want to say that this wildlife is our heritage,” Governor Lenku said.He added that they have already initiated the process of managing the park by establishing a semi-autonomous body to run it, noting that the body will ensure three top priorities are achieved and sustained.“The ecosystem upon which this wildlife and these people live, the wildlife, our natural God-given heritage, and our community livelihoods,” he said.“In the past, the environment and the community’s livelihoods have not been given due consideration. It was actually like repatriating profits to another country,” said Governor Lenku.According to Gazette Notice No. 15230: Deed of Transfer of Management Functions Relating to Amboseli National Park from the National Government to the County Government of Kajiado, the conservation area’s income will be shared between the two levels of government over a three-year transition period. The arrangement will commence on July 1, 2026 and will see revenues progressively transferred from the National Government to the County Government. During the 2026/2027 financial year, revenue will be shared equally at 50% for the County Government and 50% for the National Government. In the 2027/2028 financial year, the County Government will receive 70% while the National Government will retain 30%. From the third year (2028/2029) onwards, all the park revenue will go to the County Government. Amboseli National Park collects an average of Ksh.1.5 billion annually from park fees, among other sustainable tourism sources and nature-based solutions.
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