2025 was a memorable year for tourism in Kenya. Industry players say visitor numbers improved, air access expanded and visa reforms opened new markets. However, the sector was also rattled by abrupt policy shifts, climate stress and capacity gaps that exposed how sensitive tourism is to timing and long-term planning.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), for example, rolled out a new park fee payment system accepting only M-Pesa and Visa card payments, scrapping bank transfer options that many tour operators relied on for group payments. It also introduced an 8.5 percent processing fee for all card payments, a rate industry players say is high compared to other government platforms.
