KWS urged to improve services after raising park fees
Nyanza
By
James Omoro
| Jul 30, 2025
Homa Bay residents have told the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to review park fees, but with the responsibility of improving services to the people.
This demand emerged during a public participation forum conducted by the KWS at Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay Town. The forum was meant for getting public views on the review of fees charged at various parks in the country.
According to the KWS Senior Assistant Director in charge of Western Conservation Area, Josphat Erupe, the agency has not reviewed the park charges since 2007. This has forced the agency to seek public views on review of the park fees.
In Homa Bay, a number of residents allowed the KWS to increase the park fees, but with accountability on service delivery.
The residents said they did not want a situation where park fees are increased, yet the KWS does not undertake services commensurate with the increase.
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Simon Ojwang, a resident of Rachuonyo South Sub-county said they expect the increased fee to come with better services.
“KWS reviewed the park fees 18 years hence we agree that the fees should be reviewed. But we don’t want a situation where park fees are increased yet services are not improved,” Ojwang said.
He said the expected services include prompt compensation of human wildlife conflict victims.
“We want the victims to be compensated properly and promptly when the fees are increased,” Ojwang said.
Silius Odhiambo, a resident of Suba South Sub-county where Ruma National Park is situated, said they expect the KWS to improve corporate social responsibility.
“We want the park fees increased but the KWS should intensify its corporate social responsibilities to the people living around parks,” Odhiambo said.
Erupe told the KWS that it was important to review the park fees since inflation had interfered with the current fees.
“The inflation has affected the park fees because the last review took place in 2007. The people of Homa Bay have seen the sense and given us green light for the review,” Erupe said.
KWS Trustee Francis Chachu emphasised that the agency is committed to serving the welfare of Kenyans.
He said they had done a comparative analysis with similar agencies in the neighbouring countries and found that KWS is the best in ensuring the welfare of citizens.
“Compared to our neighbouring countries, it is only in Kenya where the KWS compensates people who are killed by wild animals. This is a friendly agency,” Chachu said.