Lynn Ndinda, chairperson, Kenya Association of Women in Tourism in Embu County, and Lucy Muita, the Senior Assistant Director, Mt Kenya Conservation area, during the public participation forum in which KAWT shared a statement towards the review, at the Kenya School of Government in Embu.

The Kenya Women in Tourism have supported the proposed adjustments to park entry and conservation fees for 2025, viewing them as a boost toward sustainability and inclusive conservation.

Speaking during the ongoing public participation forums on the proposed park fees review in Embu County on Monday, the Kenya Association of Women in Tourism (KAWT) Embu County Chairperson, Lynn Ndinda, said the review will promote equitable access and benefit-sharing.

Ndinda stated that the Association recognises the crucial need for a well-structured regulatory framework that will play an important role in securing Kenya’s biodiversity.

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“As a national organisation that brings together women professionals, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders in the tourism and conservation sectors, KAWT recognises the critical importance of well-structured regulatory frameworks in safeguarding Kenya’s biodiversity while promoting equitable access and benefit-sharing,” she said.

She said the proposed adjustments will enhance revenue generation for conservation efforts and encourage responsible engagement with biodiversity. Furthermore, Ndinda noted that the move will play a key role in creating employment opportunities for women, communities, and future generations, while also calling for meaningful conservation efforts.

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Among the proposed changes is the abolition of access fees for the elderly and persons living with disabilities (PWDs), a move KAWT believes will promote dignity, inclusion, and social justice within the community.

“Such exemptions acknowledge the lifelong contributions of older persons to the nation and affirm the right of PWDs to participate fully in national heritage and recreational experiences without financial barriers,” Ndinda said.

According to Ndinda, KAWT recognises every effort within the proposed review, including the prioritisation of environmental education and public awareness, the promotion of gender equity in access and benefit-sharing, sustainable financing for conservation, support for community-led tourism and conservation enterprises, and improved tourism competitiveness and predictability.

On her part, Dorcas Kabutha, a resident supporting the review, called for proper implementation to ensure that residents, especially those living near protected areas, benefit.

“My appeal is for proper implementation of the review to ensure the resources raised are used for their intended purposes and bring real impact to residents,” she said.

Embu County boasts various tourism destinations, which have previously posed challenges to residents due to human-wildlife conflict. According to Jeremiah Nyaga, the honorary warden of the Mt. Kenya Conservation Area, the proposed review will help fund compensation programs and manage wildlife congestion.