The Green Belt Movement (GBM) has written to the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) seeking clarification on recent developments observed adjacent to Karura Forest, following public uproar on social media.

In a letter dated Tuesday, January 21, 2025, addressed to KFS Chief Conservator of Forests Alexander Lemarkoko, the movement demanded answers regarding construction activities along Tala Road near the forest.

“Our concerns have been raised following reports and observations of ongoing developments in the specified location. This clarification is further necessitated by the great uproar on social media regarding this issue,” GBM’s Advocacy Manager Job Mwangi, said.

The environmental conservation group further raised three key concerns, including questions about the land status, the authenticity of title deeds, and whether proper environmental impact assessments were conducted for the developments.

“The Green Belt Movement views any potential encroachment or unlawful development adjacent to Karura Forest as a grave matter that warrants immediate investigation,” the statement read.

The organization, founded by the late Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai, emphasized that any potential encroachment near Karura Forest requires immediate investigation as it could set a dangerous precedent for other protected areas across the country.

“Karura Forest stands as an enduring symbol of Kenya’s commitment to environmental conservation. It is not only an ecological treasure but also a vital urban green space that serves as a sanctuary for biodiversity, a climate regulator, and a cultural heritage site,” Mwangi wrote.

The letter was also copied to the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry; the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA); the Ministry of Lands; and Friends of Karura Forest.

The concerns raised by GBM come months after KFS defended its decision to cut down trees in Karura Forest.

Previous concerns

In November 2024, the forest agency came under scrutiny when members raised alarm over the cutting of trees in the forest.

In a statement dated November 24, 2024, KFS clarified that the targeted trees had reached maturity and were at risk of age-related deterioration.

“Almost all the plantations in the forest have passed their economic rotation age. The Eucalyptus species range from 38-93 years, Araucaria cunninghamii (44-56 years) and Cupressus torulosa (34-56 years). Most of these plantations will therefore start succumbing to age-related drying in the near future,” KFS stated.

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale addressed the issue on November 22, 2024, defending the decision by stating that the actions were part of the government’s forest management efforts.

“There are claims on some social media platforms that the ongoing removal of exotic tree species from Karura Forest is forest destruction,” Duale stated.  

According to KFS, the activities were conducted under the Karura Forest Participatory Forest Management Plan, developed in collaboration with the Friends of Karura Forest.

“Kenya Forest Service (KFS) would like to assure the public and visitors of Karura Forest that what is going on is a normal plantation management activity which involves harvesting of mature exotic plantation species as per the Karura Forest Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP), which is a legal document developed in collaboration between the KFS and the Community Forest Association (CFA), in this case being Friends of Karura Forest (FKF),” KFS explained at the time.