Controversy over Karura Forest road expansion proposal

Dr. Isaac Kalua Green, an environmental advocate and Chairperson of the Green Africa Foundation, criticized the proposed excision as a failure to properly balance development with conservation. He specifically took issue with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) for not thoroughly exploring environmentally responsible solutions to the region's growing infrastructure needs.

“It is evident that KeNHA did not fully explore sustainable solutions that could meet road capacity demands without compromising our invaluable natural heritage,” Dr. Green said. “Had KeNHA considered alternative eco-friendly strategies, the need to encroach on this priceless natural resource would not have arisen."

The excision of 51 acres is part of a broader plan to widen roads in Nairobi to ease congestion. However, critics argue that this solution compromises the city's ecological health, particularly given the importance of Karura Forest as a green lung for the urban area.

In his statement, Dr. Green outlined several strategies that could have alleviated the need to encroach on the forest. These solutions include optimizing existing infrastructure, promoting multimodal transport, and adopting eco-sensitive engineering practices.

Dr. Green suggested that rather than expanding roads through Karura Forest, KeNHA could have selectively widened lanes in less ecologically sensitive areas. He also proposed the use of Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS), such as adaptive signaling, congestion pricing, and ramp metering, to improve traffic flow without the need for physical road expansion.

“We must address policy gaps and expose the hidden agendas behind such decisions. Kenya is suffering because of this lack of transparency,” Dr. Green stated. “The expansion of roads through a forest like Karura is a sign of poor planning. If we allow the excision of 51 acres today, tomorrow it will be 150 acres.”

Dr. Green questioned whether the country was truly out of ideas, asking, “Are we so lacking in innovation that we can’t build roads above the existing ones without damaging a world-renowned forest? Karura Forest is respected globally, and its preservation is key to Kenya’s environmental reputation.”

To reduce car dependency, Dr. Green emphasized the need for a shift toward multimodal transport. He advocated for the expansion of bus rapid transit (BRT) lanes, the development of park-and-ride facilities, and investments in pedestrian and cycling paths. By improving public transport options, he argued, fewer people would rely on private cars, easing the demand for road space.

Dr. Green also proposed the use of eco-friendly engineering solutions, such as elevated roads and tunnels, to bypass environmentally sensitive areas without disturbing the forest ecosystem. He pointed to successful examples from around the world where elevated roads have minimized the environmental impact on the ground below.

In addition, Dr. Green called for greater investment in public transportation, including metro, bus, and rail networks, to provide sustainable alternatives to road travel. Expanding public transport would reduce the need for more road space and help alleviate congestion in a more environmentally responsible manner.

Finally, Dr. Green highlighted the potential of smart technologies, such as Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) systems, which can optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion. These technologies could help address road capacity issues without further compromising the environment.