What we found is that Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is once again demanding that the park be placed under the control of the county government.
Sakaja made the remarks on Monday while appearing before the Senate Devolution Committee. He told the Senators that Nairobi County has written to the national government several times, asking for authority over the park and the revenue collected from it. However, he said the requests have been repeatedly ignored.
According to Sakaja, other counties such as Narok and Kajiado already manage major national parks and benefit from the money generated.
Sakaja made the remarks on Monday while appearing before the Senate Devolution Committee. He told the Senators that Nairobi County has written to the national government several times, asking for authority over the park and the revenue collected from it. However, he said the requests have been repeatedly ignored.
According to Sakaja, other counties such as Narok and Kajiado already manage major national parks and benefit from the money generated.
He argued that the same rule should apply to Nairobi, especially because the Nairobi National Park occupies a large part of the county.
He reminded the senators that last year alone, the park brought in around Ksh1.2 billion, a significant amount that could support county projects if Nairobi had access to it.
The governor said the national government has been slow in addressing the issue. At one point, government officials suggested a revenue-sharing arrangement of 50/50, but Sakaja insisted that the county wants full control—just like Kajiado was recently granted for Amboseli National Park.
He added that Nairobi should not be treated differently, especially when other counties have been allowed to take charge of similar wildlife resources.
Sakaja explained that having a national park inside the capital city comes with challenges. Because the land is protected, Nairobi cannot use it for other developments that could bring more revenue.
He reminded the senators that last year alone, the park brought in around Ksh1.2 billion, a significant amount that could support county projects if Nairobi had access to it.
The governor said the national government has been slow in addressing the issue. At one point, government officials suggested a revenue-sharing arrangement of 50/50, but Sakaja insisted that the county wants full control—just like Kajiado was recently granted for Amboseli National Park.
He added that Nairobi should not be treated differently, especially when other counties have been allowed to take charge of similar wildlife resources.
Sakaja explained that having a national park inside the capital city comes with challenges. Because the land is protected, Nairobi cannot use it for other developments that could bring more revenue.
He believes that since the park limits city expansion, the county should at least benefit directly from its income.
He also told the committee that Nairobi County deserves a fair chance to manage its resources the way other counties do.
His position is that if national parks are being handed over to county governments elsewhere, then Nairobi should not be excluded.
The governor referenced the recent transfer of Amboseli National Park to Kajiado County, which was formalized through a Deed of Transfer.
The governor referenced the recent transfer of Amboseli National Park to Kajiado County, which was formalized through a Deed of Transfer.
Under the new arrangement, the revenue will be shared between KWS and Kajiado County at first, before Kajiado eventually takes full ownership.
This move has fueled Nairobi’s push for similar treatment. Sakaja said that if the national government recognizes devolution in other counties, it must also recognize it in the capital.
The debate is now in the hands of the Senate committee, which has been questioning counties on how they collect and use their revenue.
This move has fueled Nairobi’s push for similar treatment. Sakaja said that if the national government recognizes devolution in other counties, it must also recognize it in the capital.
The debate is now in the hands of the Senate committee, which has been questioning counties on how they collect and use their revenue.
Nairobi is Kenya’s richest county, but Sakaja insists that its financial potential remains restricted because it does not control key assets like the park.
Tags:
Counties