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No free entry at Lake Nakuru National Park today, KWS cites security operation

A sign post indicating entry into Lake Nakuru National Park.

Photo credit: FILE/MTAA WANGU

By  BRET SANYA

Correspondent

Mtaa Wangu

Talk about a last-minute change of plans! Earlier this week, the Ministry of Tourism announced that there would be free entry to all national parks on September 27, 2025.  The Tourism Cabinet Secretary, Rebecca Miano, said that this was part of the celebrations for United Nations World Tourism Day, which is observed annually.

However, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has now come out with a press statement saying that there will be no free entry to Lake Nakuru National Park. Hio haitawezekana huko Lake Nakuru National Park, poleni jooh!

"The public is hereby notified that there shall be no free entry to Lake Nakuru National Park on Saturday September 27, 2025," read part of the statement.

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Aki si mgesema mapema!

"However, customers with prepaid e-Citizen tickets are advised to enter Lake Nakuru National Park via the Nderit Gate between 6am and 6pm on Saturday September 27, 2025. The public is also notified that both the Lake Nakuru Main Gate (in the flamingo area) and the Lanet Gate will be closed,” read the statement.

Other KWS-managed national parks and sanctuaries across the country will be open to the public free of charge today as part of the initiative.

"The public is further advised that all other KWS-managed national parks, reserves and sanctuaries across the country shall remain open and accessible today under the free entry initiative for Kenyan citizens," read the statement.

So why this last-minute turnaround?

In a phone interview, Emmanuel Koech, the Lake Nakuru National Park Assistant Director, said that they will be conducting a security operation in the park.

"The date of free entry to Lake Nakuru National Park will be communicated by the Ministry at a later date," he says.

The new development has raised suspicions, particularly after Alvy Aoko Okello, wife of the missing fisherman Brian Odhiambo, announced on Thursday her intention to use the free entry day to search for her husband in Lake Nakuru National Park, where he was last seen in the company of KWS officers.

The family previously searched the area in March, but Alvy believes that delays and interference compromised their efforts. She now fears hostility from the KWS, but insists that she is determined to continue the search.