Kenyans planning to visit national parks, including the Amboseli National Park in Kajiado, may face unexpected financial hurdles following changes to park access fees and payment systems introduced by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
The adjustments, which include a five per cent gateway fee and a shift from the traditional eCitizen platform, have triggered concern among tourism stakeholders who warn of a potential decline in domestic travel.
The Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) has criticised the new system, estimating that the gateway fee alone could cost the tourism industry up to Ksh370 million annually in hidden charges.
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KWS has also limited payments to M-PESA, Visa cards, and bank transfers, removing the bank deposit option widely used for large or group transactions. Travel agents say the changes may force them to pass down additional costs to clients, disrupting holiday plans for many Kenyans already grappling with reduced disposable income.
KTF Chairperson Fred Odek said the rollout lacked adequate consultation and transparency. “Whereas the recently upgraded system seeks to offer an improved customer experience, it also makes several changes that should have been subjected to consultation with the concerned parties in the industry,” he said. Odek added that the federation is demanding a return to the previous eCitizen platform, which allowed more flexible and inclusive payment options.
KWS, in a statement issued on Saturday, November 1, defended the transition to its new KWSPay platform, describing it as a more seamless and secure system for booking and paying conservation fees. The agency said the gateway fee was approved by the Central Bank of Kenya to support system maintenance and operational costs.
“Multiple payment options including M-PESA, bank cards, bank transfers, and an eWallet will be available from today, with detailed user instructions provided on the KWS website and eCitizen portal,” the statement read.
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However, KTF has questioned the rationale behind abandoning the government’s unified digital payment system. “We are demanding that KWS and all their companies take the industry back to eCitizen. The Government Digital Payment Unit is mandated to digitise all payments into government to increase revenue collection, minimise the cost of collection, and enhance service delivery,” Odek said.
The federation insists that its opposition to the new system is not resistance to progress but a call for fairness and inclusivity in reform. Odek urged the Ministry of Tourism and KWS to suspend the gateway fee until there has been adequate consultation with stakeholders and a full review of its legality.
The changes come at a time when domestic tourism has been gaining momentum, with many Kenyans opting for last-minute travel to parks and conservancies. Industry players warn that the new costs and payment restrictions could reverse these gains,
stakeholders are calling for urgent dialogue to ensure that reforms in the tourism sector do not come at the expense of accessibility, affordability, and public trust.
By Masaki Enock
