An increase in park entry fees proposed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) will require both local and international tourists to dig deeper into their pockets, as the agency seeks to bridge a Sh12 billion budget deficit.
KWS says the shortfall has severely constrained its ability to fulfil its conservation mandate. If approved, the new pricing structure could almost double park revenues to Sh16.58 billion by 2028.
“Assuming the recommended pricing adjustments are implemented, the projected total park fee revenue for KWS is expected to grow from Sh7.41 billion in 2024 to Sh16.58 billion by 2028. These projections are based solely on park entry fees and reflect anticipated trends in visitation and spending behaviour under the proposed pricing framework,” the draft regulations state.
Park entry and conservation fees have remained unchanged since 2007, despite rising inflation and increasing operational demands.
“For over a decade, our conservation fee structure has remained static despite rising costs, evolving visitor expectations, and increasing threats to wildlife,” said KWS Director General Erustus Kanga.
“This review is not just about revenue; it is about the survival of our wildlife and the resilience of our conservation systems. The proposed changes are part of a broader revenue enhancement strategy designed to support core conservation activities,” he added.
The agency relies on tourism for 90 per cent of its internal revenue. While it had targeted Sh19.79 billion for the 2024/2025 financial year, it has so far collected only Sh7.92 billion — well below target.
Strained anti-poaching operations, delayed infrastructure upgrades, and escalating human-wildlife conflict are among the challenges KWS says have hindered effective operations.
KWS anticipates a 5 per cent decline in visitor numbers following the fee hike but plans to counter the impact through enhanced marketing, improved park services, and visitor incentives.
Members of the public have been invited to submit feedback on the proposed regulations, which have been published in the Kenya Gazette and on the KWS official website.
– By Anthony Mwangi
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