Kenyans have been urged to embrace the new Wildlife Conservation and Management Regulations 2025, a plan that is aimed at is aimed at revising park fees and boost wildlife conservation efforts in the Country.

The regulations will also go a long way in improving access to the parks and ensuring fight against poaching and protection of endangered species like elephants and rhinos within all national parks and marine wildlife along the Coastal region.

Speaking at Kenyatta International Convention Center – KICC in Nairobi on Friday during the official launch of the plan, the Kenya Wildlife Service Director General Professor Erastus Kanga said the regulations were not simply about revising the fees but were also about rewriting the future of Kenya’s conservation legacy.

“Kenya being one of the leading tourist destinations in the world has led to good creation of revenue and jobs to many as a result of our wildlife and nature, therefore safeguarding our it including our ecosystems comes at a very heavy investment.

A lion in Tsavo East National Park must be protected from poaching, turtle hatchling in Watamu Marine Park must find its way to the ocean,” Professor Kanga said, adding that, this was a decisive moment in our nation’s journey towards wildlife conservation.

The official also pointed out that the plan envisages to relook at ranger’s salaries as a morale boost, this is to enable them perform efficient patrols both during day and night to help in the fight the poaching menace, and also to facilitate the airwing and department through sufficient funding.

Mr. Kanga also noted that the plan aims at coming up with more interaction exercise including via community service responsibility with communities living alongside parks in the country, as a way of achieving success in wildlife conservation.

Among other areas looked upon in the plan is the proposals aimed at promoting inclusivity in the nation as the new regulations will take into account the vulnerable and special groups: Persons with Disabilities who will be exempted from park entry fees, the same to senior citizens aged 70 years and above within East Africa who will enjoy free access, and children under the age of five.
In addition, tour guides, drivers, porters, and boat operators will also enjoy free access into national parks, with the regulations aiming at diversification of visitor experiences beyond the traditional game drive.

The new regulations will also open doors to immersive experiences such as animal tracking, conservation activities, cultural tourism, and adventure tourism, among others, which will encourage foreign visitors to explore the lesser-known parks, stay longer, spend more, and return often into the country, strengthening livelihoods for local communities through the creation of new opportunities for the youth in the wildlife economy.

Today, the Kenya Wildlife Service collects about Ksh.7.98 billion annually in conservation fees from national parks and reserves, under the proposed framework, this figure is projected to grow to Ksh.16.5 billion by the year 2028.