Kenya Wildlife Service Launches 20 Nationwide Forums on Proposed Park Fee Adjustments

Nairobi, 17th July 2025 – In a bid to reform Kenya’s conservation financing framework, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), under the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, has launched 20 in-person forums across the country to engage citizens on proposed changes to park entry and conservation fees. The forums, scheduled from July 20 to August 8, 2025, mark the most significant review of park fees since 2007.

The consultations are based on the draft Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access and Conservation) (Fees) Regulations, 2025 and an accompanying Regulatory Impact Statement. These documents aim to create a more sustainable, equitable, and transparent model for conservation financing in Kenya’s national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries.

Why the Review is Critical

Speaking during the launch, KWS Director General Dr. Erastus Kanga emphasized the need to involve the public in shaping policies that impact conservation. “We are not just adjusting numbers,” Dr. Kanga noted. “We are recalibrating a system to ensure Kenya’s wildlife heritage thrives for generations.”

The review comes at a time when:

• 72% of KWS’s budget is spent on personnel costs, limiting funding for conservation infrastructure and habitat restoration.
• The last comprehensive fee review was in 2007, creating a decade-long gap amid rising costs.
• Government funding for infrastructure accounts for less than 10% of KWS’s budget.
• Top five parks (Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Nairobi) contribute 73% of park revenues, yet over 150 parks remain underfunded.

Key Objectives of the Public Consultations

Through this extensive stakeholder engagement, KWS hopes to:

• Ensure financial sustainability of conservation efforts.
• Improve visitor infrastructure and safety in parks.
• Expand community benefit-sharing programs around protected areas.
• Enhance wildlife conflict response and protection services.

Public Participation Forums

KWS is hosting simultaneous forums in all counties, with venues including:

• July 29: Home Bay, Bomet, Marsabit
• July 30: Meru, Kitui, Elgeyo Marakwet
• July 31: Kilifi, Turkana, Kajiado
• August 1: Eldoret, Nakuru, Mombasa
• August 2: Meru, Embu, Ukunda
• August 5: Machakos, Nyeri, Voi
• August 6: Wote
• August 8: Nairobi (KICC Amphitheatre)

Ways to Participate

In addition to physical attendance, stakeholders can:

1. Submit Comments Online:
   • www.kws.go.ke
   • www.tourism.go.ke
2. Send Written Submissions to:
   • Email: rates@kws.go.ke
   • Postal Address:
     The Director General,
     Kenya Wildlife Service
     P.O. Box 40241 – 00100, Nairobi, Kenya

Deadline for all submissions is August 5, 2025.

What Happens Next

After consultations:

• Stakeholder feedback will be reviewed and integrated into a final report.
• The final regulations will be revised accordingly.
• A conclusive version will be submitted to Parliament for approval.

The initiative aligns with the goals of Kenya Vision 2030 and the push for a self-sustaining, resilient conservation ecosystem.

For more details, citizens are encouraged to visit KWS’s website or contact:
Toll-Free: 0800 597 000
WhatsApp: +254 715 666 509
Email: communications@kws.go.ke