By BRIAN MUSYOKA
Residents of Embu County are abuzz with optimism following proposed reforms by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) that aim to boost domestic tourism and make Kenya’s parks more accessible to all citizens.
During a vibrant public engagement session held at the Kenya School of Government in Embu town, locals and conservation stakeholders embraced the new KWS proposals, which include waiving park entry charges for children below five years, senior citizens over the age of 70, and persons living with disabilities (PWDs).
“This is truly transformative,” said Jeremiah Nyaga Gicovi, an honorary warden with the Mount Kenya Conservation Area headquartered in Kirinyaga. “These exemptions will not only encourage more locals to visit parks but also instill a stronger sense of national pride and connection to our natural heritage.”
Nyaga also praised the revamped conservation fee framework, highlighting its potential to finance critical needs such as compensation for human-wildlife conflict victims and the strategic relocation of wildlife in overcrowded or threatened habitats.
Rosemary Nyaga of Embu Nature, a local conservation body, welcomed the proposed changes with enthusiasm.
She called on KWS to back its policy reforms with tangible action. “Let’s see the delivery of promised electric boats and improved infrastructure. Implementation is the real game-changer if we’re serious about boosting tourism” she said.
Rosemary further urged both the national and county governments to collaborate in developing the reserve into a premier attraction. “There’s so much untapped potential right here in Embu. Locals should be the first to explore it."Rosemary said.
Lynn Ndinda, Chairperson of the Embu Chapter of the Kenya Association of Women in Tourism (KAWT), hailed the conservation fee overhaul as a long-overdue move. “This marks a major step forward. With better infrastructure and increased visitor numbers, women and youth in the tourism sector stand to gain immensely.”
She added that removing financial barriers for the young and the elderly would lead to greater engagement and appreciation of Kenya’s vast natural assets. “For once, we see a tourism sector that includes and uplifts everyone.”
According to Lucy Mwita, the Senior Assistant Director of the Mountain Conservation Area, the last comprehensive review of entry charges took place nearly two decades ago. “Much has evolved in our economy and environment. This new structure allows us to adapt better to current realities including climate change and the need for conservation education”she noted.
Mwita also shared that KWS has now classified conservation areas into categories ranging from premium parks and wilderness zones to special interest areas ensuring that there’s a destination suitable for every Kenyan.
“We must start exploring and appreciating what our country offers,” she said. “Kenya’s wild beauty is best experienced firsthand.”
The countrywide forums are part of a broader national conversation anchored in key frameworks such as the Constitution of Kenya (2010), Vision 2030, the Fourth Medium-Term Plan (MTP IV), the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), and Vision 2050.
With KWS now aligning conservation with economic transformation and social inclusion, Embu is set to emerge as a key player in Kenya’s tourism map where age, ability, or background will no longer limit access to the wonders of the wild.
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