By Caleb Kamau
As part of the Guild’s ongoing roundtable series, editors engaged with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) on its proposed new regulations—aimed at reinforcing both conservation policy and the partnership between media and environmental custodians.
Held at a Nairobi hotel, the session opened with a comprehensive presentation from KWS, outlining key policy adjustments. Central to the discussion were proposed revisions to park entry fees—crafted to strengthen the long-term financial sustainability of Kenya’s treasured natural heritage.
These adjustments cover a wide spectrum of park categories, from majestic mountain and scenic parks to premium parks, bustling urban green spaces, expansive wilderness areas, and vital marine protected zones. Each proposed rate change was framed around the goal of ensuring both sustainability and the continued excellence of Kenya’s wildlife sanctuaries.
Beyond pricing structures, KWS unveiled a range of notable additions aimed at enhancing accessibility and visitor experience:
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Inclusive access: New combined packages promise greater flexibility and value. Proposed family annual passes aim to encourage domestic tourism. Notably, KWS also proposes free entry for senior citizens (70+) and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), promoting inclusive access to Kenya’s parks.
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Family-friendly adjustments: To reflect changing family needs, the children’s age bracket for discounted entry may shift from 3–17 years to a refined 5–17 years, allowing more families to benefit from favorable rates.
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Enriched experiences: Plans are underway to expand in-park activities, including the possible introduction of hot air balloon safaris in iconic locations like Tsavo East & West, Amboseli, and Meru—adding diversity and depth to the visitor experience.
The roundtable provided a vibrant platform for critical inquiry. Editors from various media houses engaged KWS leadership with incisive questions on sustainability models, the adoption of eco-friendly practices, and urgent issues such as human-wildlife conflict.
Financial transparency emerged as a recurring theme, with probing questions on how KWS revenue is allocated, the effectiveness of internal business processes, and the status of conservation initiatives like the local antivenom manufacturing project—a crucial intervention for snakebite-prone regions.
Throughout the discussions, the media’s role as a strategic partner in conservation was consistently emphasized. KWS articulated a clear vision of the media as an essential bridge between conservation efforts and the Kenyan public.
Editors were urged to use their platforms to amplify accurate, fact-based information—building public confidence in the responsible use of conservation funds. The media’s capacity to promote Kenya’s wildlife assets was also spotlighted as critical to boosting sustainable tourism.
To foster more informed and nuanced reporting, KWS invited journalists to visit and explore various wildlife sites firsthand.
This collaborative engagement served as a compelling reminder that wildlife conservation is a shared national responsibility. By equipping the media with a deeper understanding of policy rationale and operational realities, KWS reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and collective action.
More than just a meeting, the roundtable marked a foundational step toward ensuring that Kenya’s parks not only survive—but thrive—for generations to come. And that the value of conservation is felt and celebrated across all communities.
