Monday, November 24,
2025 - Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja, has reignited debate over the
management of Nairobi National Park, demanding that the Kenya Wildlife Service
(KWS) hands over control to the County Government.
Appearing before the Senate Devolution Committee on Monday,
November 24th, Sakaja said the national Government must allow
Nairobi to collect revenues from the park, just as Narok and Kajiado Counties
benefit from Maasai Mara and Amboseli respectively.
“We will be making a case in the same way Maasai Mara is
managed by Narok County, and Amboseli was handed to Kajiado County.”
“Nairobi National Park, which is almost an eighth of the
county, should follow suit,” Sakaja told committee chair Mohammed Abass.
Sakaja revealed that his administration has made at least
two formal attempts through letters to Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano,
seeking control of the park which generated Ksh 1.2 billion last year.
He accused the national Government of dragging its feet,
even proposing a 50/50 revenue split instead of full transfer.
Sakaja argued that Nairobi is unfairly constrained compared
to other Counties, noting that the park’s presence limits development
opportunities while denying the city direct revenue benefits.
He vowed to continue pressing for full control, insisting that
the selective application of transfer policies is unjust.
His remarks come weeks after Amboseli National Park was
formally transferred to Kajiado County in a landmark deal.
Under the arrangement, Kajiado will progressively increase
its share of park revenues until it retains 100 percent by 2028.
The clash sets up a fresh confrontation between Sakaja and
President William Ruto’s administration over devolution and resource control.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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