Abolish KWS Gateway Fees Strike.

Kenya's tourism industry players have gone on strike due to the introduction of a "gateway fee" by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). 
The Tour Operators, Tour Guides and Hospitality Stakeholders opposes the new KWS park fee system, describing it as financially punitive, lacking public consultation, and unlawful.

Key reasons for the strike and protests include:
•Significant hikes in park entry fees: 
For example, Nairobi National Park entry for residents rose from KSh 430 to KSh 1,000, while foreign visitors' fees doubled from KSh 5,570 to KSh 10,360. Similar large increases were applied to premium parks such as Amboseli and Lake Nakuru.

•Introduction of a hidden 5 percent "gateway fee" charged on top of park-entry fees and only disclosed at payment, which the federation argues has no legal backing.

•Restrictive payment options: 
The new system accepts only Mpesa and Visa card payments, removing bank transfers, which complicates large transactions and group payments.

•High card processing fees: 
An unusually high 8.5 percent processing fee on all card payments has been imposed, adding unbudgeted costs for operators.

•An inflated exchange rate used by KWS (KSh 135 per USD) that is higher than the official Central Bank rate, artificially increasing costs for international tourists.

•The new system was rolled out despite a court order barring application of the new park-fee rates, with KTF calling for suspension of the gateway fee, restoration of the former payment platform, and adherence to the court ruling.

These changes are perceived as making the Kenyan safari experience more expensive and unreliable, risking loss of competitiveness against other African destinations. 
Industry leaders warn the increased fees, hidden charges, and reduced payment flexibility are causing operational chaos, unbudgeted losses, and a potential boycott of services, hence the strike action by tourism industry players seeking reversal of these policies and more transparent, consultative reforms.

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