Outrage has erupted after the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) cleared trees in Karura Forest near the Rangers Village, allegedly to make way for a secret National Youth Service (NYS) barracks plan, according to the Friends of Karura, who jointly manage the forest with KWS.
In a statement on February 26, Friends of Karura have called for an immediate halt to the tree clearance and demanded a public explanation of the proposed development.
“The Friends of Karura Forest are calling for an immediate halt to the clearance of trees in and around the Rangers Village inside the Forest and an immediate public explanation about proposals for National Youth Service accommodation in the area,” their statement read in part.
Friends of Karura On Forest Tree Clearance
From the issued statement, the clearance involved chainsaws and heavy machinery, uprooting indigenous trees without prior notice to the community group.
Additionally, it stated that the area affected is approximately one kilometre from the KWS headquarters, which already has sufficient space for accommodation, raising concerns about unnecessary disruption to the forest.
“Since the weekend, numerous indigenous trees have been cut down by a group with chainsaws while the stumps have been uprooted by heavy machinery by the Rangers Village, where forest rangers live,” Friends of Karura cited.
Friends of Karura stressed that any proposals for building inside the forest must be openly discussed, citing past unauthorised developments, including road tarmacking near the Rangers Village.
Jointly managing the forest with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), the group said it was not informed about the recent tree clearance or the plans for the area.
Further, they noted that a letter sent by FKF to KFS on February 24, requesting clarification about the work, remains unanswered.
“A letter sent by the Friends to the Kenya Forest Service on Tuesday remains unanswered,” the statement read.
Also Read: Kenya Forest Service Clarifies Job Loss Fears and Operations at Karura Forest
The association expressed concern that fifteen years of joint protection and conservation of Karura Forest are now at risk due to a proposed barracks that could cause major disruption inside the forest.
“It is 15 years today since Karura was officially opened, and it has been an extraordinary achievement to jointly protect and conserve the forest. All this progress is now under threat from this proposal for barracks for a large number of people, which will cause huge disruption inside the forest,” said Prof Njoroge Karanja of the FKF Board.
KFS Tarmacking and Increased Charges in Karura
The developments follow the earlier reported secret overnight tarmacking of a road inside the forest leading to the Rangers Village last year, again without any consultation, and Friends of Karura has brought a court case opposing it.
Also Read: Govt Calms Angry Kenyans Over Viral Karura Forest Petition
The Friends of Karura Community Forest Association (FKF-CFA), in a notice dated August 29, raised concerns over the Kenya Forest Service’s (KFS) unilateral takeover of all payments at Karura Forest Reserve entrances, including gate fees, parking, annual passes, and other services through the eCitizen platform.
The move, implemented without consultation, was said to disrupt a 20-year joint management agreement under which FKF-CFA has collected fees for more than 15 years to fund forest operations, staff, security, infrastructure, and restoration.
The association also criticised sudden fee increases, including VAT and eCitizen charges, which affect long-standing affordable rates for citizens and children.
FKF-CFA warned that the abrupt decision undermines the vision of Karura’s founder, Nobel Laureate Prof. Wangari Maathai, and threatens the sustainability of the forest’s management.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
