Senator Okenyuri raises questions on the upgraded ticketing and queuing system at Nairobi National Park

Parliament Buildings
Wednesday, 28 May 2025

Sen. Esther Okenyuri (Nominated) has raised concerns over the implementation of the new ticketing and queuing system at Nairobi National Park. 

She raised the issue while seeking a Statement from the Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialization, and Tourism. 

The system, rolled out by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) on 5th February 2025 as a pilot initiative, was meant to improve efficiency and streamline visitor access. 

However, it has since resulted in significant delays, growing visitor dissatisfaction, and allegations of staff misconduct.

Sen. Okenyuri urged the Committee to investigate the technical rollout and structure of the system, particularly the objectives it was meant to fulfill and how it was implemented. 

Continued inefficiencies since the launch have raised questions, and the Senator wants clarity on whether the delays stem from technical flaws, operational challenges, or human resource issues. 

Additionally, she called for an inquiry into reported cases of irregular staff conduct, particularly concerning entry procedures that may involve corruption or favoritism.

The Statement also seeks to understand the impact of the new system on visitor numbers, their overall satisfaction, and revenue generation at the park since February. 

Lastly, Sen. Okenyuri highlighted the need to evaluate internal assessment mechanisms used by KWS to monitor the system's effectiveness and the concrete steps being taken to fix the problems.

The Trade Committee is expected to investigate the matter and offer insight into how the system can be refined or replaced, ensuring that both local and international visitors have a seamless and positive experience when exploring one of Kenya’s most iconic wildlife destinations.