NAIROBI, Kenya — The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has issued an open invitation to the public, stakeholders, and all interested parties to submit their feedback on the proposed Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access and Conservation) (Fees) Regulations, 2025. This move signals a significant review of the fees payable for entry into Kenya’s national parks, reserves, marine parks, marine reserves, and national sanctuaries.
In a notice released on Tuesday, July 15, the Ministry indicated that Kenyans have a 14-day window to provide their input on the new regulations.
These regulations outline the revised fee structure aimed at bolstering access to and conservation efforts within these critical natural habitats.
Accompanying the proposed regulations is a Regulatory Impact Statement, which provides detailed information on the anticipated effects of the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access and Conservation) (Fees) Regulations, 2025. This document is crucial for understanding the rationale behind the proposed changes and their potential impact on various sectors.
Members of the public can access the complete set of regulations and the Regulatory Impact Statement through the Ministry’s official website, www.tourism.go.ke, and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) website, www.kws.go.ke.
For those preferring physical copies, they are available free of charge at all KWS-managed national parks, reserves, stations, and sanctuaries across the country.
In addition to written submissions, the Ministry has announced that it will host a series of public forums to facilitate discussions on the regulations. The schedule for these consultations will be announced soon.
This public participation phase is a critical step in the regulatory process, allowing for diverse perspectives to be considered before the finalization of the new fee structure.
The proposed fee increases are aimed at addressing a significant funding gap for the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), which is vital for sustained conservation efforts, anti-poaching operations, habitat restoration, and improving visitor experiences.
The consultations are scheduled to be held as follows: –
“Written submissions should be sent to rates@kws.go.ke or hand delivered to [the Ministry’s and KWS headquaters] no later than fourteen days (14) from the date of publication of this notice,” the notice says.
