Shadrack Nyakoe
A groundbreaking ceremony today marked the commencement of construction for the Amboseli Kitenden Lodge, an unprecedented ultra-luxurious and exclusive tourist destination nestled within the Kitenden area of Amboseli. This landmark development signals a new era for high-end tourism in the region, distinguished by its unique ownership structure and commitment to the local community.
The nine-bed, top-tier lodge is funded by Conservation Equity Ltd. and will be situated on the expansive 50,000-acre Kitenden conservancy. Crucially, this conservancy is collectively owned by 3,000 local individuals. In a significant move towards empowering the community, the developer financed the full processing of land ownership deeds for all 3,000 individuals at a cost of Ksh. 90 million. This foundational step underscores a partnership built on mutual agreement and consensus from its inception, a departure from past collaborations that have often been criticized for favoring one party over the other.
The agreement between the Kitenden Conservancy and the developers of the Amboseli Kitenden Lodge establishes clear terms of engagement designed to foster a strong and equitable relationship throughout the 25-year contract. A key feature of this partnership is the substantial annual dividend of US$ 400,000 (over Ksh. 50 million) that the community will receive initially. This figure is set to increase by 5 percent annually, ensuring a growing benefit for the local landowners. Demonstrating a commitment to transparency, these funds will be directly distributed to each of the 3,000 members of the Kitenden Conservancy community. The level of compensation offered by the Amboseli Kitenden Lodge significantly exceeds standard practices, setting a new benchmark for such collaborations.
The positive impact of the project extends beyond ownership and revenue sharing. As construction begins, 100 non-skilled local men and women will be employed at the site. Furthermore, upon the lodge’s completion, the developers have pledged to onboard 200 local residents as employees within the first five years of operation.
This groundbreaking ceremony signifies the establishment of new standards for future partnerships between local conservancies and developers in the tourism hospitality sector. The Amboseli Kitenden Lodge model prioritizes community empowerment, equitable benefit sharing, and transparent engagement, paving the way for a more sustainable and inclusive approach to tourism development in Kenya. The project has been warmly welcomed as it sets camp in the country, with hopes that it will serve as a successful example for future ventures.
Patmoz
