KWS Engages Tour Operators on Upgraded KWSPay e-Wallet System
0
0
By John Kariuki
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director General Prof. Erustus Kanga today led a strategic engagement with tour operators at the Nairobi Safari Walk to review the ongoing pilot of the upgraded KWSPay system—featuring a new e-Wallet functionality.
The session brought together key tourism stakeholders to discuss the system’s performance, gather feedback, and chart improvements ahead of a full national rollout.
Currently being piloted at Nairobi National Park and 14 other single-entry parks, KWSPay’s e-Wallet aims to streamline digital park entry payments, allowing for faster processing, bulk group transactions, and multi-park access under a single payment.
Tour operators raised practical concerns including difficulties managing multiple park bookings, limitations in foreign currency support for international tourists, and occasional transaction delays.
Prof. Kanga assured stakeholders that their feedback is vital to refining the platform. “Our goal is to make KWSPay a world-class digital gateway into Kenya’s protected areas,” he said. “This system must work for you, for our visitors, and for the future of conservation.”
The e-Wallet upgrade is designed to boost transparency, reduce cash handling, and simplify payment reconciliation for tour firms—especially those managing large groups. It’s also part of KWS’s broader digital transformation strategy to modernize service delivery across Kenya’s parks.
Tour operators welcomed the consultative approach and commended KWS for prioritizing user experience. Many expressed optimism that the platform would reduce gate wait times and enhance the overall tourist experience.
KWS encouraged operators and users to continue exploring the pilot system and to submit ongoing feedback through the KWSPay portal.
As tourism rebounds, the digitization of conservation services is a key pillar in positioning Kenya as a modern, accessible, and tech-savvy destination for nature lovers worldwide.
About The Author
