Introduction

The simplest way of interpreting the new fees (see the link below) is that from the 1st of July, the only way of enjoying the marine park and reserve without having to pay high fees is swimming without goggles. The introduction of these new fees not only create a huge increase in the cost of visiting Watamu; but also comes with the inconvenient system of having to travel to the limited park ticket points on a daily basis to obtain a ticket for your chosen activitiy.  Any activities other than swimming, will be subject to high fees. A few examples range from kitesurfing, paddleboarding, recreational fishing in the reserve to simply even watching the sunset on the beach or in Mida Creek.  It is extremely apparent that no stakeholder consultation has been considered before implementation of this new fee structure. 

Historically only a small percentage of revenue generated by the Watamu Marine Park conservation fees actually directly goes back in to preserving the Watamu MPA. Any increase in fees is unlikley to improve or change the health and protection of our Marine Park. 

Impact

The increased and new fees which are due to be implemented on the 1st of July 2022 by Kenya Wildlife Service will put the water sports, sports fishing and associated industries in Watamu out of business. The knock on effect will also result in Watamu becoming a less desirable destination domestically and internationally to visit. 

Businesses are suffering from high taxes and high cost of living and are close to not being competitive with similar products in destinations locally and abroad. Watamu is particulalrly affected as it is the one of  the only destinations on the Kenyan coast line that is completed surrounded by Marine Park and reserve with no public areas. 

Affected Stakeholders

Every member of the Watamu community will be impacted very negatively regardless of their status or income. The implemented park fees will have a devastating effect on tourism which is the main employer in the Watamu area. It is estimated that every one person employed in tourism in Watamu, supports between 10-15 individulas in the community. As a result every single member of this community has a duty of care towards finding alternative solutions to this issue of new and increased fees for the marine protected areas.

Remedy

As a community we call for immediate suspension of any increase in current marine park fees and the suspension of any contemplated new marine park entry fees.

There have been many alternate methods of improving revenue for KWS that have been suggested by members of the Watamu community at various times in the past that have been ignored or received no feedback. 

KWS and all stakeholders in the Watamu community need to find solutions that work for all parties.

Implication

The implementation of these increased and new park fees as currently proposed would have disastrous implications for the entire Watamu community. With tourism being the number one employer and revenue generator for the entire area of Watamu, creating an environment in which Watamu is less desirable to visit, puts everyone's jobs and livelihoods at risk. Longer term impacts will result in large unemployment and decreases in land values across the region. 

Goal

The goal of this petition is to collect 1000 signatures over the next two weeks to illustrate to KWS that the community is against these changes, and have not been consulted on the impact it will have. This digital petition is being accompanied by a written petition that is also being circulated around the community to ensure that those who do not have access to digital means are also able to have their voices heard. With this support we hope that KWS would consider our proposed remedy as per above. 

Please see the new fee structure to be implemented from the 1st of July 2022 in the link below for reference. 

KWS CONSERVATION FEES FOR JULY 2022- DECEMBER 2023