The battle over the future of Amboseli National Park has returned to the political stage after Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka accused President William Ruto of making a promise to Kajiado residents that he never intended to fulfil.
Addressing residents during the Kajiado Youth Declaration event in Imaroro Ward on Saturday, August 1, 2026, Kalonzo claimed the president knowingly misled the people of Kajiado by pledging to return the management of Amboseli National Park to the county while allowing efforts to frustrate the process through the courts.
The event saw youth leaders declare their support for Kalonzo's presidential bid and endorse the Azimio la Umoja coalition.
Kalonzo said Kajiado residents had waited for a promise that had failed to materialise, insisting the government had no genuine plan to hand the park back to the county.
“Ruto knew very well that he did not want to give Amboseli back to the people of Kajiado. He came and promised you Amboseli. Have you received it? Have you?” Kalonzo said.
He further alleged that while public assurances were being made, another process was unfolding behind the scenes to ensure the transfer never happened.
“He promised to give Amboseli to the people of Kajiado, but behind the scenes he was sending people to court to stop it. He had no intention of returning Amboseli National Park to the people of Kajiado. That is the truth,” he said.
The opposition leader argued that Kajiado has for years failed to benefit fully from the resources found within the county despite playing an important role in Kenya's tourism sector. He said local communities deserve a greater voice in decisions affecting the park and should receive a fair share of the benefits generated from it.
Kalonzo promised to protect community interests if elected, saying his administration would strengthen devolution and ensure counties gain more from resources within their boundaries.
He also took issue with leaders who make commitments they later fail to honour.
“Na kwa hivyo watu kama hawa ambao wanadanganya wale ambao wanasimamia, kama watoto, njia ni moja; ya kuwafanya wantam,” he said.
His remarks have once again placed the management of Amboseli National Park at the centre of public debate. The park, which sits in Kajiado County, is among Kenya's leading wildlife tourism attractions and forms part of the wider Amboseli ecosystem that is home to more than 2,000 elephants and many other wildlife species.
For years, residents have argued that communities living around the park should receive a larger share of the revenue and other benefits generated from the protected area.
The discussion has gained fresh attention following the recent death of 15 elephants outside the park. Kenya Wildlife Service said preliminary tests found cyanide in samples collected from the animals, raising concerns over expanding farming activities around the Amboseli ecosystem.
Kalonzo urged Kajiado residents to remain united, saying local communities should be fully involved in decisions touching on Amboseli National Park and other natural resources found in the county.