KWS Proposes Hike in Park Entry Fees [NEW RATES] 

Hello and welcome to the Money News Roundup Newsletter, where we are covering the hike in park entry fees. We also cover Kenya Power’s explanation for faulty prepaid (tokens) meters.

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KWS to Hike Park Entry Fees

The Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) has announced plans to increase entry fees for national parks and reserves across the country.

In the new draft Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access and Conservation Fees) Regulations, 2025, the entry fee for the Nairobi National Park is proposed to be increased from Ksh430 to Ksh1,000 for Kenyans and East African Citizens.

The entry fee for students planning to visit the Nairobi National Park is proposed to increase from Ksh215 to Ksh500

The entry fees for the Amboseli National Park and the Lake Nakuru National Park are proposed to increase from Ksh860 to Ksh1,500.

‍Below is a table of the new proposed fees for other parks.

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‍Kenya Power Explains Faulty Token Meters 

Kenya Power has explained that software-related issues caused the malfunction of some prepaid meters.

While appearing before the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee (PIC) on Thursday, July 7, Kenya Power MD Joseph Siror stated that the company had already initiated processes to make replacements.

According to the committee, the meters were procured from a Chinese supplier and reported to be faulty by some consumers.

This made it difficult for the affected customers to access electricity as the tokens could not be loaded.

“We regret the inconvenience caused. The issues were software-related and covered by warranty. We have since initiated repairs and replacements. Our teams have also been engaging communities and local leaders to improve transparency and acceptance of ongoing projects,” he explained.

As reported by the Nation, MPs directed the Auditor-General to look into the systems that manage electricity meters after the lapses.

‍Why Govt’s Co-Funded Project With World Bank is at the Verge of Collapse

As reported by the People Daily, the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme is in limbo owing to a lack of funding.

The government had partnered with the World Bank to give 100,000 youth a Ksh50,000 seed funding for businesses.

As part of the deal, the government and the World Bank were to fund the project, estimated to cost Ksh27.9 billion. However, the government which was to fund the project to the tune of Ksh9.5 billion, has only released Ksh1.2 billion.

"If we do not get the funding, then we will suffer the way KYEOP suffered as the World Bank took the money. However, unlike this one, KYEOP was not in the whole country, but all the money had to be refunded," MSME PS Susan Mang'eni stated.

"However, if we get the Ksh7.6 billion, we will be able to finalize all the work with that and ensure that by June next year, we will have implemented the entire process."

‍Reprieve for Mitumba Traders After Govt Move on Tax

As reported by the Business Daily, Kenya is set to maintain the lowest import duty on second-hand clothes in East Africa, cementing its position as the continent's leading importer of used apparel.

For the next year, Kenya will retain its "mitumba" import duty at 35 percent or $0.20 (Ksh25.86) per kilogramme, whichever is higher.

This Common External Tariff (CET) is the lowest among the eight EAC member states, where other countries levy a higher duty of 35 percent or $0.40 (Ksh51.72) per kilogramme.