Tourism industry stakeholders held a peaceful demonstration in Nairobi on Tuesday November 3 to protest the newly introduced Kenya Wildlife Service KWS payment system and associated gateway fees, which they say are stifling business and threatening the countrys competitiveness as a safari destination.
The protest, which culminated in the delivery of a petition to the KWS Director General, gathered tour operators, travel agents and hoteliers under a shared call for fairness, consultation and policy review.
Our request is simple, said Kennedy Kaunda , Group CEO of East Africa Tour Guides and Drivers Association. Abolish the 8.5 gateway fee, use a realistic exchange rate, involve stakeholders genuinely, give reasonable notice and obey court rules.
