The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has allayed fears of disruption of normal operations at Karura Forest after the government officially took over its management and operations.
In a statement on September 4, KFS said operations at Karura Forest have been ongoing as normal, and visitors have continued streaming into the urban forest for recreational activities.
KFS said it has partnered with employees of the Community Forest Association (CFA) to offer normal services to all visitors.
“The CFA staff who are working in collaboration with the Service include Clerks, Scouts, Tree and nursery attendants and general maintenance staff. Patrols within the forest and around the perimeter electric fence have also been ongoing as normal to safeguard the forest,” KFS stated.
Budget Allocations and Jobs
The Service has also informed the CFA leadership that all budgetary provisions as per the submitted annual work plan and budget for 2025/2026 will be honoured and funded accordingly.
Besides, KFS and CFA have assured Karura Forest employees that there will be no job losses.
The Service decried that some employees have not reported to work despite numerous phone calls to do so.
“The Service has also endeavoured to reassure all employees of the CFA of the continuity of their jobs, and the Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko has reassured all there will be no job losses. However, despite efforts to continue working cordially with employees of the CFA, some of the employees have opted not to report back to work, despite several calls to do so.”
Also Read: Green Belt Movement Responds to Gov’t Forceful Takeover of Karura Forest
KFS said it is committed to developing the ecotourism potential of various urban forests to ensure city dwellers enjoy serene green spaces.
The Service has also called upon all partners to support its efforts towards this endeavour.
Karura Forest, located in the heart of Nairobi, is one of the largest urban forests in the world, covering over 1,000 hectares.
It rose to national prominence in the late 1990s when Nobel Laureate Prof. Wangari Maathai and the Green Belt Movement led a courageous and successful campaign to protect it from illegal land grabbing and deforestation.
KFS Changes Payment at Karura Forest to eCitizen
KFS announced that starting August 29, 2025, payments for gate entry, parking, and related services within the forest must be processed through the official eCitizen Paybill number 222222.
KFS explained that the move aligns with a wider government initiative to enhance transparency, security, and efficiency in the collection of public revenues.
Also Read: Green Belt Movement Responds to Gov’t Forceful Takeover of Karura Forest
FKF Files Petition
However, Friends of Karura Forest (FKF), which has co-managed the forest for over a decade, moved to Court challenging the decision.
FKF sought urgent conservatory orders to stop the migration of revenue collection to the eCitizen platform.
The Community asked the court to declare the eCitizen directive as unconstitutional.
It also sought orders to reinstate the joint revenue system to prevent the government from enforcing payment changes without stakeholder engagement.
Court Orders
Environment and Land Court judge Lady Justice A. Omollo certified the matter as urgent and scheduled it for a hearing on September 22, 2025.
Justice Omollo also directed the Ministry of Environment and KFS to file their responses within 14 days.
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