KWS suspends implementation of new park entry fees – KBC

The Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) has suspended the implementation of the new park entry fees until further notice due to the prevailing circumstances occasioned by COVID-19.

The new fees could have seen Kenyans pay 300 percent more for entry into parks as of July 2020.

KWS through a statement said that the fee increment was based on a Legal Gazette Notice No.198 dated October 18, 2019, signed by the Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala and was to be effected from July 1^st 2020.

CS Balala earlier termed a local daily report of the park fees hike misleading.

The higher fees drew protest from Kenyans on social media who argued that the timing was wrong, citing the effect of coronavirus-related travel restrictions on Kenya’s tourism sector.

Kenya has so far recorded 172 Cornavirus pandemic cases.

The pandemic has hit the tourism sector with the borders closed and social distancing rules prompting hotel shutdowns as well as hundreds losing their jobs.

Speaking during a press briefing Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said that 696 people have been tested in the last 24 hours and 14 have tested positive.