In line with Section 59(1–4) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, the WRTI is mandated to facilitate the issuance of research permits in the wildlife sector.
Omondi says the prevailing economic conditions, regulatory changes, and shifts in operational demands have significantly affected the cost of delivering permit-related services.
WRTI Director Dr Patrick Omondi / FILE
Companies and businesses wishing to undertake research in
the wildlife sector will be mandated to pay Sh250,000 should a new proposal
sail through.
The Wildlife and Research Training Institute says foreign
businesses and companies will be required to part with $3,500 (Sh448,000) for a
permit.
“We are now inviting comments and feedback from stakeholders
and the general public to enrich and inform the proposed fee structure,” WRTI director
Dr Patrick Omondi says.
In line with Section 59(1–4) of the Wildlife Conservation
and Management Act, the WRTI is mandated to facilitate the issuance of research
permits in the wildlife sector.
Omondi said the prevailing economic conditions, regulatory
changes and shifts in operational demands have significantly affected the cost
of delivering permit-related services.
“As a result, the institute has developed a proposal for
revised fees for different categories of wildlife research permits.”
Under the new proposal, foreign institutional affiliations
are expected to pay $50, while the current rate is $120.
Kenyans pursuing Bachelors/Diplomas who wish to conduct
research will part with Sh5,000 as opposed to the current fees of Sh1,200,
while foreigners will pay $500, up from the current $250.
Kenyans pursuing masters will pay Sh10,000, up from the
current Sh6,000.
Foreigners pursuing masters will part with $500.
WRTI in the proposal says Kenyans pursuing doctoral/PhDs
will pay Sh15,000 as opposed to the current rates of Sh12,000, while foreigners
will part with $900 as opposed to the current $700.
For Kenyans undertaking postdoctoral studies, they will now
have to part with Sh18,000 as opposed to the current Sh12,000, while foreigners
will part with $1,200 as opposed to the current rates of $700.
WRTI says the non-academic will now have to pay Sh18,000, up
from the current Sh12,000, while foreigners will have to pay $1,200 as opposed
to the current rates of $700.
The application fee for the permit is Sh2,000, which is
non-refundable, while foreigners will part with $15.
WRTI is now calling on the public to give their views and
help enrich and inform the proposed fee structure.
The deadline for the submission of views is July 18.
The public can give their views through [email protected]
or call +254 712 090 261.
WRTI is a state corporation established under Section 50 of
the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act No. 47 of 2013 (Revised 2018) to
undertake and coordinate wildlife research and training in the country.
Section 59(1-4) of the Act empowers the institute to
facilitate the issuance of research permits in the wildlife sector.
The institute said the prevailing economic conditions,
regulatory changes and shifts in operational demands have impacted the cost of
delivering permit-related services, necessitating a review of the fees for
different categories.
“The review of permit fee tariffs is to ensure the fee structure
remains fair, equitable and aligned with the costs of providing permitting
services. The proposed permit fees have been benchmarked against those of
neighbouring countries, ensuring they remain competitive within the regional
context,” the institute says.
It said the fees are in line with or comparable to the rates
charged by similar jurisdictions, taking into account the specific services
provided, the complexity of the permitting process, and the prevailing market
conditions.
