Abstract
Today, a variety of land conflicts are taking place in Africa, and wildlife conservation is considered to be one cause. This study examines Kajiado South Constituency in southern Kenya, where Amboseli National Park, one of the most famous and popular wildlife-oriented tourist destinations in East Africa is situated. In that area, on one hand, private landownership is increasing in local Maasai society, and on the other hand, outsiders are implementing many “community-based” wildlife conservation programmes. The purpose of this study is to examine the details of land conflicts occurring today and find out where authority lies. Comparison of contemporary land conflicts in Kimana Sanctuary and Osupuko Conservancy, and a human-wildlife conflict around Amboseli National Park revealed that the authorities to which local people referred in the course of the conflicts differed according to the proprietary rights of land or resources. It was also confirmed that while the land conflicts are thought not to be a matter for the traditional spokesmen, politicians do have influence or a voice in the conflicts even if they are not members of the local society.
