KWS Unveils New Fees Regulations to Double Conservation Revenue by 2028
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By John Kariuki
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director General Prof. Erustus Kanga has unveiled new Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access and Conservation) (Fees) Regulations, 2025, aimed at transforming the country’s conservation sector.
Speaking during a validation forum in Nairobi on Friday, Prof. Kanga said the reforms go beyond revising park fees, describing them as “a collective investment in Kenya’s future.”
The new framework seeks to raise annual conservation revenue from KSh7.98 billion to KSh16.5 billion by 2028. Funds will be channeled into ranger operations, habitat restoration, modernized facilities, and direct support for communities bordering protected areas.
In a move to make conservation more inclusive, the regulations exempt Persons with Disabilities, East African senior citizens aged 70 and above, and children under five from park entry charges. Tour guides, drivers, porters, and boat operators will also enjoy free access.
Prof. Kanga said the framework expands visitor experiences beyond game drives to include animal tracking, cultural tourism, adventure safaris, and conservation volunteering. This is expected to increase tourist spending, extend stays, and broaden economic benefits for local enterprises.
He emphasized that additional revenue will fund urgent infrastructure upgrades, including roads, restrooms, signage, and rest areas, alongside intensified marketing for lesser-known parks.
“These regulations are not just about fees,” Prof. Kanga noted. “They are about securing thriving wildlife populations, sustaining livelihoods, and safeguarding Kenya’s conservation legacy.”
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