Senior Assistant Director in charge of Western Conservation Area, Josephat Erupe, speaks during public participation on park charges at Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay town.

 

Homa Bay residents have urged the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to improve services to the public as the agency plans to review park fees.
Read Also
Red hot Omanyala to orchestrate Kenya's 4x100m charge at World Relays today Athletics
Cup pressure peaks as Shabana host Kenya Police in blockbuster quarter-final Football
Upper Hill coach Walgwe unperturbed despite drawing giants in Prescott Cup group phase Rugby

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.

Enjoying this article? Subscribe for unlimited access to premium sports coverage.
View Plans

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.


Senior Assistant Director in charge of Western Conservation Area Josephat Erupe speaks to the press on the sidelines of public participation over park charges at Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay town.


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.