The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has introduced express lanes for prepaid ticket holders, opened additional gates, and is exploring the construction of a new Southern Bypass entry at Nairobi National Park. This initiative aims to alleviate long-standing visitor frustrations.
“We understand that extended waiting times at entry gates over the weekend may have impacted your experience,” said Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano.
Effective immediately, the newly operational East Gate (off Mombasa Road) and Mbagathi Gate (Magadi Road, opposite Multimedia University) will help reduce congestion and save visitors valuable time.
According to the 2025 Economic Survey released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the decision to expand entry points was driven by a significant rise in international arrivals—up by 14.7 per cent to 2.39 million in 2024.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) recorded a 10.1 per cent increase in arrivals, reaching 1.63 million, while Moi International Airport in Mombasa experienced a 30.6 per cent surge to 204,900 arrivals. Meanwhile, the number of Kenyan residents travelling abroad rose by 5 per cent to 1.42 million.
The report further notes that Kenya’s tourism sector showed marked improvement in 2024, thanks to strategic initiatives such as the implementation of Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), aggressive marketing campaigns, product diversification, and the adoption of digital tools like smart booking platforms and targeted online promotions.
Tourism growth was also driven by the launch and return of several long-haul carriers, contributing to a 14.7 per cent increase in total arrivals to 2.39 million.
Experts attribute the sector’s success to collaborative efforts between the government and private sector stakeholders.
“The concerted efforts to diversify tourism products, improve connectivity, and enhance the visitor experience are bearing fruit. We are thrilled to see positive indicators across the board, with growth recorded in key segments such as Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism,” said Kenya Tourism Board CEO June Chepkemei.
