'Karura Forest remains protected,' Mudavadi says amid uproar over NYS housing project

The concerns arose after images circulated online showing felled trees and ongoing works inside Karura, leading some members of the public to allege plans to encroach on or privatise parts of the forest. 

“Karura forest is going nowhere. Karura forest will remain safeguarded and protected, and what is there is a 3-acre tree seedling centre that has been there since 1997, and nobody is going to touch Karura forest,” said Mudavadi.

The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has since clarified that the works are part of a nationwide initiative to expand tree nurseries and strengthen forest restoration efforts.

Mudavadi was speaking at the Maragoli Hills Forest at the celebrations of this year’s International Day of Forests.

He noted that this reaffirmed the government's commitment, through the national tree growing programme, to increase the country’s tree cover to at least 30 per cent in the next six years. 

“We shall restore degraded landscapes and protect our country’s fragile forest ecosystems, thus strengthening Kenya’s climate resilience and creating new opportunities for green jobs and community livelihoods,” he said.

“I encourage all Kenyans across all counties to actively participate in tree growing and environmental conservation efforts. Protecting forests is not only about safeguarding the environment, but more importantly, securing Kenya’s economic future and the well-being of future generations.”

Mudavadi said achieving these ambitious goals requires a Whole-of-Government, Whole-of-Society approach that involves collaboration among national and county governments, development partners, the private sector, civil society, and local communities. 

He said community participation, particularly through community forest associations and youth groups, remains critical to the success of forest restoration initiatives. 

“Forest resources also support livelihoods through beekeeping, eco-tourism, sustainable timber production, tree nursery enterprises and other activities. Furthermore, wood fuel and charcoal remain a major source of energy for many households, highlighting the continued importance of sustainable forest management,” said Mudavadi.

He urged the residents of Vihiga to join hands in the restoration and re-afforestation of Maragoli Hills Forest, saying the ecosystem of that region largely depends on a proper forest cover.

“I encourage us to plant fruit trees; this will double as both conservation efforts and also as sources of fruits that the community will eat,” Mudavadi said.

“Globally, over 1.6 billion people derive their livelihoods, jobs and incomes from forest activities including timber production, ecotourism, agriculture and renewable energy. Consequently, forests are not just environmental resources but are also natural capital that support economic growth and social well-being.”

The Prime CS said the restoration efforts are in line with the ongoing infrastructure development being brought by the launch of the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway line that will link Kenya and Uganda and the rest of the East African region.

“Thursday tulizindua kutoka Narok kule Suswa kukuja Kisumu na leo Rais Ruto na mwenzake Yoweri Museveni wa Uganda, wame zindua hii ya kutoka Kisumu kuelekea Malaba. Na Museveni anataka kuendeleza kutoka Uganda kuelekea kwa mpaka wa DRC. Na kule kwingine tunataka tukuwe na branch ya kuelekea South Sudan. Hii ni kuonyesha ya kwamba tunataka integration ya kiuchumi, katika bara la Afrika.” said Mudavadi.

“Umuhimu wa reli ni kuhakikisha kwamba inabeba bidhaa na mazao, na nafasi nzuri inakuja ambayo tunataka wakulima wa eneo la Western Kenya, watumie fursa hii kubadilisha uchumi wa eneo hili nah ii reli itakuwa ikibeba 4,000 tonnes za cargo kila trip, na hizo tonnes haziwezi jaa kama hatutakuwa na ukulima maarufu.”

Mudavadi said the Maragoli forest will also play a major role in timber manufacturing, urging the residents to rally together and ensure that the forest is conserved.

He said today’s exercise was a key contribution to the restoration of the degraded ecosystem and also as part of our national commitment to grow 15 billion trees by 2032.