KWS proposes first park fees review in 18 years to plug Ksh.12B funding deficit

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has unveiled a bold proposal to review park access fees for the first time in 18 years in a bid to address a Ksh.12 billion annual funding shortfall and boost conservation efforts aimed at safeguarding Kenya’s iconic wildlife and natural heritage.

The proposed changes, outlined in the draft Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access and Conservation Fees) Regulations, 2025, seek to ensure sustainable financing for KWS operations, which have been severely strained by rising costs, stagnated income, and escalating threats to biodiversity.

In the 2024/2025 financial year, KWS generated Ksh.7.92 billion against a requirement of Ksh.19.79 billion — underscoring the urgency to close the funding gap.

The agency says the new fee structure, if approved, will strengthen its ability to respond to challenges such as poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and habitat degradation.

“This review is not just about revenue—it is about the survival of our wildlife and the resilience of our conservation systems,” said KWS Director General Prof. Erustus Kanga. “For over a decade, our conservation fee structure has remained static, despite rising costs, evolving visitor expectations, and increasing threats to wildlife.”

More than 90 per cent of KWS’s internal revenue comes from tourism-related activities. However, the current fiscal deficit threatens not only conservation programs but also the livelihoods of over one million Kenyans who depend on the wildlife economy, including community scouts, rangers, tour operators, hoteliers, and artisans.

The revised fees are part of a broader revenue enhancement strategy. Funds generated will go towards restoring degraded habitats, strengthening anti-poaching operations, mitigating human-wildlife conflict, modernizing park infrastructure, and expanding conservation education and public awareness initiatives.

An impact assessment conducted prior to drafting the new regulations guided the proposed pricing model. Under the new framework, park revenues are projected to increase to Ksh.16.58 billion by 2028, driven by realistic forecasts of tourism growth and spending behavior.

According to Prof. Kanga, Kenya will remain an accessible and competitive destination for global travelers, even with the proposed adjustments. The fee review is aligned with the organization’s 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, which aims to reduce reliance on government funding, improve institutional performance, and enhance the resilience of conservation systems.

The review process is being implemented through public participation and stakeholder consultations across the country. The draft regulations were published in the Kenya Gazette on July 9, 2025, and are now open for public comment.