KFS says Muthaiga Golf Club lacks evidence proving ownership of contested Karura Forest land

In a statement, KFS said the disputed section forms part of Karura Forest, which was gazetted as a forest reserve in 1932 and later declared a Central Forest in 1964.

The dispute centres on Land Reference Number 13134/3, which the golf club claims to own. KFS noted that the parcel encroaches onto the gazetted Karura Forest by approximately 21.8 hectares.

According to KFS, Karura Forest covers approximately 1,044.1 hectares and was gazetted as a forest reserve through Proclamation No. 44 of 1932. The forest was later declared a Central Forest through Legal Notice No. 174 of May 20, 1964.

'Several correspondences between the then Forest Department and the Commissioner of Lands articulate how the land was surveyed, leased and the construction of the then Karura Golf Club commenced," the statement read in part. 

KFS indicated that a plan showing the extent of land leased to the club was issued in 1966, after which construction of the golf course began.

In 1974, the Chief Conservator of Forests wrote to the club confirming a proposed alteration of the golf course boundary, which would extend the course further north.

KFS said the club was invited to apply for a Forest Special Use Licence following the enactment of the Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2007, but did not honour the request.

The service said the club was again invited in 2021 to discuss its occupation of Karura Forest Reserve, during which its representatives claimed to hold a title deed.

However, KFS said it had found no evidence proving that the club's occupation of the forest was legal.

“There is no evidence of record to the effect proving legal occupation of the forest by the Club. Historically, the Club has acknowledged through various correspondences in our possession, their occupation of a gazetted forest land and the recent claims of ownership may imply grabbing of public land by private interest,” KFS noted. 

The service said the club should address illegalities through formal engagement with KFS in accordance with the Forest Conservation and Management Act.

The statement comes after KFS moved onto part of the Muthaiga Golf Club course and restricted access to the Front Nine, from Hole No. 2 through to Hole No. 9, saying the section falls within the Karura Forest boundary.

Muthaiga Golf Club indicated that its driving range and parking areas remain unaffected, while the Front Nine remains off-limits to members as the parties work towards resolving the dispute.

The development prompted plans for a meeting between KFS and the golf club to address the conflicting positions over ownership and seek an amicable solution.