Nairobi: The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) concluded its 20th and final public participation forum on the proposed Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access and Conservation) Fees Regulations, 2025, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi. The forum marked the end of a nationwide engagement exercise that spanned 19 counties and brought together key stakeholders from the tourism industry, conservation partners, county governments, the youth, and the general public. The initiative aimed to solicit public views on proposed changes to park entry fees and related conservation charges for both local and international tourists.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Erustus Kanga, Director General of KWS, emphasized the importance of public participation in shaping the future of Kenya’s wildlife conservation model. Dr. Kanga noted that the last revision of park entry fees was done in 2007, 18 years ago. He highlighted the challenges posed by growing operational costs, including increased fuel prices, equipment, and staff salaries, which have made it difficult to maintain the same conservation fees. This has led to a widening gap between conservation needs and available resources. Dr. Kanga pointed out that KWS manages 20 percent of Kenya’s landmass dedicated to wildlife conservation, spanning national parks, reserves, and community conservancies.
Despite a significant rise in revenue from Sh 4 billion in 2022 to nearly Sh 8 billion in the 2024/25 financial year, the Service still faces a funding deficit of over Sh 11 billion to meet its annual operational needs. Recent studies by independent conservation and tourism experts revealed that Kenya offers some of the most affordable world-class wildlife viewing experiences. In contrast, countries like Rwanda have much higher charges for wildlife viewing, highlighting a potential undervaluation of Kenya’s natural treasures.
Dr. Kanga assured that the revised fee structure would remain affordable for Kenyan citizens and residents, while introducing a special ‘African rate’ to attract visitors from across the continent. The new structure also includes incentives for longer stays, off-peak travel, and new experiences such as night game drives, hot air balloon safaris, canoeing, and guided hikes. He emphasized that the proposed fees are market-sensitive and developed in consultation with tourism stakeholders, with no abrupt or unrealistic hikes.
Failure to act on the proposed fee adjustments, Dr. Kanga warned, risks undermining Kenya’s conservation gains and threatening livelihoods in tourism-dependent communities. He highlighted the fragile success of notable conservation progress, such as increasing lion numbers to 2,181 and elephant populations to over 36,000, which requires sustainable financing to maintain.
Nancy Mathenge, an Independent member of KWS Board of Trustees, reiterated the Service’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity. She emphasized that the revised fees are not just about raising fees but also about raising standards and commitment to protect Kenya’s national heritage. Mathenge noted the importance of Kenya’s parks as ecosystems that sustain biodiversity, water towers, and economic livelihoods. She called on citizens, policymakers, and the private sector to view the revised conservation charges as a shared investment in resilience and sustainability.
KWS has committed to reinvesting revenue into expanding community-based conservation programs, employment, infrastructure upgrades, anti-poaching technology, and climate resilience efforts. The Service already runs robust Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives supporting schools, hospitals, and water projects in communities living near national parks. With 75% of park visitors being Kenyan citizens, and over 3.38 million visitors recorded in the last financial year, wildlife tourism contributes about 10% of Kenya’s GDP, amounting to approximately Sh 680 billion, and employs thousands directly and indirectly.
Public feedback from the forum, along with submissions received through email and the online document portal, will be consolidated and considered before final approval and gazettement of the 2025 conservation fee regulations.
