The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) on Wednesday December 11 sought to clarify reports of the planned expansion of Kiambu Road that threatens Karura Forest.
According to KFS, the wayleave for Kiambu Road was gazetted in 1951, well before Kenya gained independence.
Therefore, the road’s footprint has long been accounted for within the forest’s boundaries.
“Kenya Forest Service seeks to clarify a matter regarding the status of Karura Forest Wayleave.
“Kiambu Road wayleave was gazetted in 1951 and hence has been in existence within Karura Gazetted Forest since the pre-independence era,” stated KFS.
Also Read: KFS Clarifies Mass Cutting of Trees at Karura Forest After Public Uproar
KFS on Size of Karura Forest Land Given Out
On the other hand, the forest service has emphasized that the expansion will remain within the existing wayleave, except for a proposed interchange measuring 2.2 hectares (approximately 5.4 acres).
Although this additional land is within the gazetted forest area, it constitutes a fraction of the 51.64 acres cited by the Green Belt Movement.
“Therefore, the intended expansion of Kiambu Road will be within the wayleave and the notion that Karura Forest is being given out for the expansion of Kiambu Road is false, save for the planned interchange measuring 2.2Ha (5.4Acres),” added the statement from the service.
The Greenbelt movement had on Wednesday, December 11, sounded an alarm over the government’s plans to annex 51.64 acres of the forest for the expansion of Kiambu Road, calling it a “malicious encroachment” on Kenya’s natural heritage.
The movement noted that the size of land that would be used was equivalent to 22 standard football pitches.
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News of the proposed expansion has sparked widespread concern among Kenyans, with many taking to social media to express their fears and frustrations.
“The 51.64-acre encroachment would lead to significant deforestation, destroying biodiversity and critical habitats within the forest.
“The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) conducted lacked transparency and failed to consider alternatives to minimize harm.
“The construction will result in increased pollution, soil erosion, and a reduction in rainwater infiltration, further exacerbating climate risks,” argued the movement.
Also Read: Govt Clarifies Logging at Karura Forest After Uproar
Mass Cutting of Trees
Earlier in November, KFS was forced to clarify reports about ongoing logging at Karura Forest amid a public uproar.
In a statement shared by Environment CS Aden Duale, KFS dismissed claims that the ongoing exercise of logging exotic trees amounts to forest destruction.
“There are claims on some social media platforms that the ongoing removal of exotic tree species from Karura Forest is forest destruction. This cannot be further from the truth,” the statement read in part.
The statement came following the circulation of several videos on social media throughout the week, showing individuals logging trees in Karura Forest.
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