KWS Unveils New Wildlife Conservation Fees Framework to Secure Kenya’s Natural Heritage
KWS Director General Prof. Erustus Kanga Speaking during the validation forum for the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access and Conservation) (Fees) Regulations 2025.
By Sharon Atieno
NAIROBI, Kenya, September 2025 – Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has unveiled a new framework of conservation fees aimed at strengthening financial sustainability, enhancing inclusivity, and diversifying tourism experiences in the country’s national parks and reserves.
Speaking during the validation forum for the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access and Conservation) (Fees) Regulations 2025, KWS Director General Prof. Erustus Kanga underscored the urgent need to invest more in conservation to safeguard Kenya’s world-renowned wildlife heritage.
“Protecting a lion in Tsavo, guiding a turtle hatchling in Watamu, or patrolling our parks demands significant resources. Without sustainable funding, conservation risks becoming a dream deferred,” Prof. Kanga said.
Under the proposed framework, KWS projects an increase in conservation revenue from Ksh 7.98 billion annually to Ksh 16.5 billion by 2028. According to Prof. Kanga, these funds will be reinvested in improving visitor facilities, scaling up ranger operations, restoring habitats, and supporting communities living alongside wildlife.
The regulations also promote inclusivity. Persons with disabilities will be exempted from park entry fees, while East African citizens above 70 years and children under five will enjoy free access. In addition, frontline tourism workers including guides, drivers, porters, and boat operators will be granted free entry, recognizing their role in sustaining the sector.
Beyond traditional game drives, the new regulations introduce opportunities for immersive experiences such as animal tracking, conservation volunteering, cultural tourism, and adventure activities. These are expected to encourage longer stays, boost local economies, and open up opportunities for youth within the wildlife economy.
“Wildlife conservation is not a luxury. It is a duty of justice to our land, our people, and our children,” Prof. Kanga noted, emphasizing that the reforms are about value, not price. He added that revenue will also be used to upgrade essential infrastructure, including roads, toilets, and rest areas, to international standards.
Prof. Kanga urged stakeholders including government, industry players, local communities, and the media to support the new regulations, describing them as bold and urgent.
“These regulations are the bridge between the Kenya we are today and the Kenya we aspire to be tomorrow a nation where wildlife thrives, communities prosper, and future generations inherit a living legacy,” he said.
The forum also provided a platform for stakeholders to validate proposals collected from public participation forums held across the country.
