Nakuru, Kenya — September 27, 2025 (EAT).

In a surprising move, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) announced that Lake Nakuru National Park will be excluded from the free-entry promotion scheduled for Saturday, September 27, which the government had offered for all national parks in honor of World Tourism Day.

What Happened

• While the free-entry offer applies to most national parks, KWS said Lake Nakuru would not be part of it due to “operational considerations”—a reason that was not elaborated further in the official statement.

• The exclusion immediately sparked criticism from stakeholders in Nakuru, who asserted that this decision undermines the spirit of the national tourism gesture and discriminates against local tourism communities.

• Tourism players in the region rallied to press KWS to reconsider or clearly explain the reasons behind the exclusion.

Why It Matters

• Tourism losses: Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya’s marquee tourism destinations, famous for its pink flamingos and rhino sanctuary. Excluding it removes a major draw from the free access window.

• Equity concerns: Locals and small operators in Nakuru may lose the boost in foot traffic that free-entry days typically generate.

• Public accountability: The vague term “operational considerations” raises questions about whether maintenance, staffing, revenue, or security concerns influenced the exclusion.

• Trust in KWS policy: The move risks eroding trust in KWS’s fairness and in government efforts to promote inclusive tourism.

What We Know & What We Don’t