Jimmy Gathu
New Lister
Government agencies are under fire for their involvement in a proposed development project that sought to claim part of Ngong Forest for constructing a golf course and restaurant. The controversy prompted Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to hold press briefings to deny any complicity, yet questions persist about their roles in approving the excision of public forest land for a private enterprise with undisclosed owners.
The National Land Commission (NLC), responsible for overseeing public land, including forests, is also facing scrutiny amid growing concerns over frequent cases of public land excisions. This marks the second high-profile attempt to encroach on public forest land, following a petition by the Green Belt Movement to block the excision of 51 acres in Karura Forest for Kiambu Road expansion.
In the latest case, plans were advanced for the construction of a leisure facility, Karura Golf Range, within Ngong Road Forest, 29 km from Karura Forest before Duale intervened to revoke the project’s license. Despite this, both KFS and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) had controversially issued permits to the private developers, allowing the encroachment to proceed.
On Tuesday17th Dec 2024, Duale directed NEMA Director General Mamo Boru and Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko to revoke the permits and submit a comprehensive report within 72 hours. According to NEMA’s inspection report, the project, named Karura Golf Range Limited, aimed to build a golf range and restaurant. Amos Ng’eno was identified as the project’s environmental consultant.
The inspection, prompted by complaints of illegal forest encroachment, revealed that the site is located within the Miotoni Block of Ngong Forest, under KFS jurisdiction. While the development had not commenced, the area was fenced off and currently functions as a recreational space with a paved parking lot and seating areas. Notably, the site lies along a wayleave for the Kenya Pipeline Corporation’s (KPC) oil pipeline, and KPC had issued a no-objection letter for the project.
This controversy arises alongside a similar case in Karura Forest, where the Green Belt Movement has filed a lawsuit to block the excision of 51.64 acres for constructing a dual carriageway along Kiambu Road. The movement has accused KFS of issuing licenses for private recreational facilities without conducting adequate environmental assessments. Below is a link to Ngong Forest.
https://www.ngongroadforest.com/
The National Land Commission (NLC), responsible for overseeing public land, including forests, is also facing scrutiny amid growing concerns over frequent cases of public land excisions. This marks the second high-profile attempt to encroach on public forest land, following a petition by the Green Belt Movement to block the excision of 51 acres in Karura Forest for Kiambu Road expansion.
In the latest case, plans were advanced for the construction of a leisure facility, Karura Golf Range, within Ngong Road Forest, 29 km from Karura Forest before Duale intervened to revoke the project’s license. Despite this, both KFS and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) had controversially issued permits to the private developers, allowing the encroachment to proceed.
On Tuesday17th Dec 2024, Duale directed NEMA Director General Mamo Boru and Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko to revoke the permits and submit a comprehensive report within 72 hours. According to NEMA’s inspection report, the project, named Karura Golf Range Limited, aimed to build a golf range and restaurant. Amos Ng’eno was identified as the project’s environmental consultant.
The inspection, prompted by complaints of illegal forest encroachment, revealed that the site is located within the Miotoni Block of Ngong Forest, under KFS jurisdiction. While the development had not commenced, the area was fenced off and currently functions as a recreational space with a paved parking lot and seating areas. Notably, the site lies along a wayleave for the Kenya Pipeline Corporation’s (KPC) oil pipeline, and KPC had issued a no-objection letter for the project.
This controversy arises alongside a similar case in Karura Forest, where the Green Belt Movement has filed a lawsuit to block the excision of 51.64 acres for constructing a dual carriageway along Kiambu Road. The movement has accused KFS of issuing licenses for private recreational facilities without conducting adequate environmental assessments. Below is a link to Ngong Forest.
https://www.ngongroadforest.com/