Senators rebuke KWS for hiking park fees, ignoring court orders
National
By
Edwin Nyarangi
| Nov 19, 2025
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has been challenged by the Senate over the recent hike in park fees and for disregarding a court order halting their implementation.
KWS Director General Erastus Kanga faced tough questioning from the Senate Trade and Tourism Committee, chaired by Kwale Senator Issa Boy, over why the new charges were implemented despite public concern.
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah criticised KWS, saying tourism is a major revenue generator and it was wrong to burden Kenyans with exorbitant fees. He accused the agency of ignoring the court order.
“We want KWS to explain why they increased charges even though the court stopped them,” said Omtatah.
READ MORE
Over 2,000 EPZ workers return to work after union dispute
Why insurers are now betting against the national grid
Regional states advance plan for unified shipping line
Building alliances: Why African countries must invest in each other
Why accountants are concerned over Sh1.7tr unaccounted public expenditure
Statistics agency roots for better usage of data
How new AI systems could unlock opportunities for businesses, economy
Digital taxi drivers win fight for new rates as strike disrupts market
What causes rifts in family wealth transfer
Filling the doughnut hole: Anatomy of great customer experience
He also questioned why KWS did not submit the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access, Entry and Conservation Fees) Regulations 2025 to the Senate for consideration, as was done with the National Assembly.
“KWS should explain why it imposed an 8.5 percent gateway levy on all park fees, instead of the gazetted maximum US$1 convenience fee, and provide details of the tender process for developing the KWS e-pay system,” said Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri.
Kanga explained that the regulations followed the statutory instruments process and were considered by the Committee on Delegated Legislation, which found them constitutional.
Kanga was asked to return next Thursday with all documents and ensure the regulations are submitted to the Senate for concurrence.