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Originally published by Capital Businessbusiness
November 3, 2025
9h ago
Tour operators decry ‘hidden’ 5pc charge in new KWS park fees
NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 3 - The Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) has pushed back against recent changes introduced by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to its Kenya breaking news | Kenya news today |..
✨ Key Highlights
The Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) has strongly opposed new Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) park-entry payment changes, labeling them "unacceptable" due to a hidden 5 percent "gateway fee" and restricted payment methods. This comes despite an existing court order barring new park fee rates.
- The KTF estimates the tourism sector could lose over Sh370 million annually due to the unbudgeted gateway fees.
- Fred Odek, Chairman of KTF, described the move as "discriminatory and unlawful," warning it could harm Kenya's competitiveness.
- The new system only permits Mpesa and Visa card payments, limiting options for tour operators who make large daily payments.
- A court order issued on October 1, 2025 (future date in article), had previously barred the application of new park-fee rates.
- Revised park entry fees, approved in September, aim to raise KWS revenues from Sh7.41 billion in 2024 to Sh16.58 billion by 2028.
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