The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is undertaking the first comprehensive review of conservation and access fees in 18 years, citing the rising costs of wildlife management and the urgent need for sustainable financing. KWS Director General Erustus Kanga said the proposed Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access and Conservation) (Fees) Regulations, 2025 are aimed at aligning Kenya’s conservation model with today’s economic and environmental realities. “The cost and complexity of conservation have changed drastically since the last fee review in 2007,” Kanga said. “Fuel, security, technology and ranger costs have risen by up to 50 per cent, yet our fees have remained largely static. The status quo is not sustainable.” He spoke during a round table briefing at KWS Law Enforcement Academy in Manyani. KWS manages over 20 per cent of the country’s landmass, including 24 national parks, 29 national reserves and 215 community conservancies.
