For decades, Kenya has been celebrated as the home of elephants, lions, coral reefs, and vast savannahs that attract millions of visitors from around the world. But speaking candidly, officials warned that protecting this legacy requires heavy investment. Rangers, patrol aircraft, and local communities all depend on reliable funding to ensure wildlife and ecosystems thrive.

“These regulations are not simply about revising the fees,” a senior KWS official emphasized. “They are about rewriting the future of Kenya’s conservation legacy.”

KWS currently collects Ksh 7.98 billion annually in conservation fees. Under the new framework, this figure is projected to grow to Ksh 16.5 billion by 2028. The additional revenue will fund ranger operations, restore habitats, enhance visitor facilities, and support local communities living alongside protected areas.

“This revenue is the lifeblood of conservation,” the official added. “It ensures sustainability, independence, and resilience in protecting Kenya’s natural heritage.”

The regulations are designed with inclusivity at their core. Persons with Disabilities will be exempted from paying park entry fees, senior citizens over 70 years from East Africa will access parks for free, and children under five will not pay. In addition, tour guides, drivers, porters, and boat operators will enjoy free access—recognizing their role as the frontline workers of the tourism industry.

The reforms also expand the scope of activities available to visitors. Beyond game drives, tourists will now have access to immersive experiences such as animal tracking, conservation activities, cultural tourism, and adventure tourism. Officials believe this will attract longer stays, increase spending, and create more opportunities for youth and communities in the wildlife economy.

Conservation

“Wildlife conservation is not a luxury—it is a duty of justice to our land, our people, and our children,” the official declared. “Once an elephant is poached, it is lost forever. Once a coral reef bleaches, it may never return. Once communities lose faith in conservation, we all lose.”

The regulations will also prioritize reinvestment in visitor facilities, including the urgent upgrading of toilets, access roads, and rest areas to international standards. Targeted marketing campaigns will promote both flagship and lesser-known parks, distributing visitors more evenly across the country.

A Call to Action

Stakeholders across government, industry, communities, and the media have been urged to embrace the regulations not as a burden, but as an investment in Kenya’s future.

“These changes are bold and urgent,” the official concluded. “They are the bridge between the Kenya we are today and the Kenya we aspire to be tomorrow. Together, let us conserve. Together, let us manage. Together, let us pass on a Kenya where the roar of a lion, the call of a fish eagle, and the rustle of the savannah grass remain a living, thriving, and eternal reality.”