Families planning visits to museums and heritage sites across Kenya will now have to dig deeper into their pockets following a revision of admission charges by the National Museums of Kenya.
In a notice issued under Legal Notice No. 79 of 2025, the institution announced that the new rates will take effect from May 7, 2026, affecting both local and foreign visitors across major museums, historical sites, galleries and monuments.
The revised fees show sharp increases in entry costs for children at some of the country’s most popular attractions, including the Nairobi National Museum, Snake Park and Karen Blixen Museum.
At the Nairobi National Museum, Kenyan and East African adult visitors will now pay Sh350 while children will pay Sh200. Previously, children paid Sh100. A combined ticket covering the museum and Snake Park has also risen to Sh600 for adults and Sh300 for children.
The changes are even steeper at the Karen Blixen Museum and Fort Jesus where children’s entry fees have tripled from Sh100 to Sh300, while adults will now pay Sh550.
Under the new structure, entry to the Nairobi Gallery will cost adults Sh300 and children Sh200. Meanwhile, historical attractions such as Gede Ruins and Malindi Museum will now charge Sh100 for children, double the previous Sh50 rate.
The notice also introduces revised pricing for visitors from the rest of Africa and international tourists outside the continent, with charges listed in US dollars.
For example, foreign adult visitors to the Nairobi National Museum will pay 18 US dollars, while those visiting Fort Jesus and Karen Blixen Museum will pay 17 dollars. Combined heritage packages in places such as Lamu Fort and the Swahili House circuit will now cost foreign adults up to 40 dollars.
Other heritage sites affected include Koobi Fora, Thimlich Ohinga, Takwa Ruins and Kariandusi Prehistoric Site.
The fee review comes at a time when museums and heritage institutions are increasingly seeking additional revenue streams to maintain facilities, conserve artefacts and improve visitor experiences amid rising operational costs.
However, the new prices are likely to trigger debate among parents, students and local tourists who have traditionally relied on museums as affordable educational and recreational spaces.
Schools, which form a large percentage of museum visitors during academic trips, may also feel the impact of the increased child rates, especially for institutions operating on tight budgets.
Despite the increase, NMK appears to be pushing for bundled experiences through combined tickets that allow visitors to access multiple attractions at subsidised rates compared to paying separately.
The revised charges will apply across dozens of museums, monuments and heritage sites nationwide beginning Wednesday, May 7.