Parliament has stepped in to seek answers over the controversial construction of a hotel in the heart of Ngong Forest.

The project has sparked widespread concern over the use of public land and its impact on environmental conservation.

Environment Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Mlongo and Forestry PS Gitonga Mugambi were on Thursday, July 31, 2025, put to task by the National Assembly’s Environment Committee to explain how such a sensitive project was greenlit without clear public participation or environmental approvals, despite being on public forest land.

The two top officials faced a barrage of questions from legislators, including the legal status of the land, the identity of the developers behind Konyon Company Limited, and why construction had already begun before the outcry was addressed.

“We are concerned that the Ministry allowed this project to proceed despite overwhelming public resistance. From the Constitution of Kenya 2010, we cannot run away from public participation,” Yakub Adow, MP for Bura, said.

Appearing before the committee chaired by Vincent Musyoka (Mwala), CS Mlongo sought to reassure the lawmakers and the public. She defended the ministry’s position, saying the Forest Conservation and Management Act provides room for regulated ecotourism development within public forests.

She noted that the Kenya Forest Service has already developed a National Ecotourism Master Plan (2024–2029) to responsibly steer such developments and ensure sustainable use of forest resources.

However, it was not lost on the committee that the construction had already progressed, despite a supposed suspension order.

CS Mlongo, in her closing statement, confirmed that construction has now been put on hold pending further consultations and a comprehensive audit for the good of environmental conservation.

“Members, the Ministry reaffirms its commitment to transparent, accountable, and sustainable forest management. This construction has been suspended pending further consultations and a comprehensive audit for the good of environmental conservation,” CS Mlongo said in her closing remarks.

The Committee also flagged concerns over the suspected undervaluation of forest land near Moi International Airport in Eldoret. Documents presented showed a valuation of Ksh 500 million, despite the market value being estimated at nearly Ksh 3 billion. Lawmakers demanded thorough investigations and more time to review the supporting documentation.

Hon. Charity Kathambi, a member of parliament from Njoro constituency, urged the committee to consider benchmarking with countries like South Africa to help strengthen forest protection policies and ensure that Kenyans benefit from the nation’s natural resources without falling prey to exploitation.

The session marked a turning point in the ongoing tug-of-war between conservation and commercialisation, a clear signal that Parliament intends to keep a closer eye on land deals and environmental decisions going forward.

As pressure mounts, all eyes now turn to the Ministry to deliver full transparency and accountability on the fate of Ngong Forest, one of Nairobi’s few remaining green lungs.