The agency is planning to increase the fees charged when
people visit parks.
The Kenya Wildlife Service is conducting public
participation forums across the country with the aim of seeking views from
Kenyans before implementing the new rates.
In Homa Bay, KWS officials and stakeholders met at Tom Mboya
University.
Senior Assistant Director in charge of the Western
Conservation Area, Josephat Erupe, said KWS has not reviewed park charges since
2007.
Erupe said it is important to review park fees since
inflation has eroded the value of the current charges.
“Inflation has affected the park fees. The people of Homa
Bay have understood the situation and given us the green light for the review,”
Erupe said.
Speaking during the public participation forum on Wednesday,
KWS Trustee Francis Chachu emphasised that the agency is committed to serving
the welfare of Kenyans.
He said they had conducted a comparative analysis with
similar agencies in neighbouring countries and found that KWS is among the best
in ensuring the welfare of citizens.
“It is only in Kenya where park fees have not been reviewed since 2007. The fees help KWS to compensate people when there is a human-wildlife conflict,” Chachu said.
During the session, residents asked KWS to prioritise
service delivery as they plan to increase fees.
The residents said they did not want a situation where park
fees are increased, yet KWS fails to provide services that match the hike.
Residents Simon Ojwang and Silas Odhiambo said they expect
the increased fees to be accompanied by better services.
“KWS last reviewed park fees 18 years ago, so we agree that
the fees should be updated. But we don’t want a situation where fees go up
without improvements in service delivery,” Ojwang said.
He said the expected services include prompt compensation
for victims of human-wildlife conflict.
“We want the victims to be compensated properly and promptly
when the fees are increased,” he said.
Odhiambo said they expect KWS to enhance its corporate
social responsibility efforts at Ruma National Park.
“We support the increase in park fees, but KWS should intensify its corporate social responsibility to communities living around the parks,” Odhiambo said.
