Kenya Wildlife Service eyes new fees to save wildlife as funding crisis bites

KWS Director General Prof Erustus Kanga. [Mike Kihaki, Standard]

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is seeking to raise conservation fees for the first time in nearly 20 years to close a Sh 12 billion annual funding gap threatening the survival of the country's wildlife.

The proposed Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access and Conservation Fees) Regulations, 2025, will adjust charges for access to national parks, reserves, sanctuaries and marine protected areas if adopted.

Director General Prof Erustus Kanga noted that the fee structure has remained unchanged since 2007 despite rising costs, inflation and increased threats to wildlife.

"For over a decade, our conservation fee structure has remained static, despite rising costs, evolving visitor expectations and increasing threats to wildlife," Prof Kanga observed.

He explained that the push for revised fees goes beyond generating revenue.

"This review is not just about revenue it is about the survival of our wildlife and the resilience of our conservation systems. The proposed changes are part of a broader revenue enhancement strategy designed to support core conservation activities," Prof Kanga explained.

KWS projects that if the revised fees are adopted, annual park revenues will nearly double to Sh 16.58 billion by 2028, aligning Kenya's conservation funding with global trends.

Revenue will be channelled into habitat restoration, community compensation schemes, wildlife security, infrastructure upgrades and education programmes to foster conservation values among young people.

Prof Kanga noted that despite generating Sh 7.92 billion from tourism in the 2024/2025 financial year (FY), the agency requires Sh 19.79 billion to meet its conservation obligations.

"We are facing a widening fiscal deficit that undermines not only conservation but also the livelihoods of over one million Kenyans whose jobs depend on a thriving wildlife economy ranging from community scouts and rangers to tour operators, hoteliers and artisans," Prof Kanga stated.

KWS indicated that the proposed changes were informed by an impact assessment and countrywide public participation.

"This is a transparent, inclusive effort. We've involved all stakeholders' local communities, tour operators, conservation partners and visitors because the future of our wildlife belongs to all of us," Prof Kanga noted.

The proposal forms part of the KWS 2024-2028 Strategic Plan, which aims to build a self-sustaining conservation model that reduces reliance on the National Treasury (Exchequer) and aligns with global practices.