Govt Hikes All Museum Entry Charges By 100 Per Cent

Kenyans visiting museums and national heritage sites across the country face the dreaded possibility of paying double fees following the government's proposal for a 100 per cent increase in fees.

Through the National Museums of Kenya (NMK), the government aims to review admission fees that have been administered by the NMK for the past ten (10) years.

This will be with respect to entry into its sites and monuments across the country.

"The proposed increase aims to boost internal revenue to support NMK’s efforts in heritage conservation for posterity.

Inside the Nairobi National Museum. /FILE

"The increased revenue collection would also enhance NMK’s financial sustainability, and address the emerging socio-economic issues such as inflation, increased dollar exchange rates, emerging government policies, and revenue volatility among others," NMK announced this as part of their 3-year phase.

Should the proposed fees sail through, Kenyans visiting the Nairobi National Museum for instance will pay Ksh400 in the new rates, a double increase from the current Ksh200.

East African Citizens visiting Fort Jesus in Mombasa will pay Ksh1,200 from Ksh600 while non-residents will part with Ksh2,400 after the 100 per cent increase. 

The government argued that being a service industry, the main source of funds for the NMK is the National Government through the National Treasury.

"Out of the total budget of the National Museums of Kenya, the National Government mainly funds costs for personnel emoluments (salaries) leaving NMK to cater for its operational costs from internally generated revenue. The government has also been advocating for state corporations to strive towards self-sustainability," added NMK.

NMK also revealed that the area of heritage conservation is subjected to significant competition for funds against other crucial public expenditures such as education, defence, and law among others, and, consequently, NMK is more often underfunded in that respect.

The admission fees and other commercial activities at NMK go towards its efforts to protect, preserve, conserve and promote the national heritage for posterity