The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is seeking to increase its conservation fees in a bid to strengthen its operations, which have become increasingly difficult to sustain due to limited revenue streams falling short of its strategic targets.
The service, which is conducting public participation exercises in its eight regions, seeks to raise its fees by at least 50% in the exercise that was last done in 2007 and has since become untenable owing to the rising cost of living.
“We require more funds to effectively conserve the parks and in turn make them productive and add to the country’s economic growth. We need to improve our facilities to meet the current standards for tourism and hospitality,” said the Western Conservation Officer Josphat Erupe.
He spoke at the Kitale National Polytechnic, where the team was engaging residents from Trans Nzoia County to give their views on the proposals. The region hosts the Saiwa Swamp National Park and Mt. Elgon National Park.
Mr. Erupe said apart from financial constraints, conservation efforts are also affected by climate change and human-wildlife conflict, which affects its profitability and leads to increased conflicts with host communities.
“We have, however, intensified sensitization sessions to increase awareness among our communities on how to reduce human and wildlife conflicts. We also engage in community social responsibility programs to boost community relations,” he said.
Sarah Musundi, an entrepreneur in the tourism sector, supported the need to review the prices upwards, saying it would help the Kenya Wildlife Service to improve its services in line with global trends.
“Sometimes I take tourists to Mt. Elgon National Park, and while they wish to stay there, it becomes difficult because the facilities fall short of their expectations, so they end up spending their money elsewhere,” observed Mrs. Musundi.
Mr. Maurice Wanjala, a conservationist, said maintaining the parks requires proper financing, and the 2007 park fees have lost value due to the rising cost of items since then, hence the need to raise the figures.
“Raising the fees is critical for tourism to thrive, attract more investment, and sustain its significant contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product. Enhanced infrastructure, better services, and value addition programs also need adequate and consistent funding to meet global standards,” said Mr. Wanjala.