Uproar after developer allowed to construct restaurant, golf course in Ngong Forest

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and Kenya Pipeline Company, all government agencies, have allowed a private developer to put up a leisure and entertainment joint in forest land.

NEMA, however, says it gave a conditional license because KFS and Kenya Pipeline did not oppose the project, which is to be put up on wayleave.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, NEMA said the Director General has directed environmental inspectors and police unit officers to undertake urgent inspections of the proposed site and take appropriate corrective action.

Nestled within the serene forest, Ngong Road Forest Section 1, a construction site has already been mapped for a proposed restaurant and golf club.

This is happening against the backdrop of a seemingly growing appetite for the encroachment and exploitation of forests across the country, with the government appearing complacent.

The peaceful ambience will soon be replaced by the relentless noise of power saws and tractors working tirelessly to build commercial projects.

According to an investigation report dated December 17, 2024, by NEMA, the project is under Karura Golf Range Limited, with the project representative listed as Amos Ngeno. NEMA says the project has not commenced and thus there is no violation.

However, in a letter dated November 28, 2024, the NEMA granted approval for the development, stating: “This is to certify that the environmental impact assessment project received from Karura Golf Range Limited regarding the proposed restaurant and golf range within the KFS-Ngong Road Forest Station has been reviewed, and a license is hereby issued for the implementation of the project.”

Meanwhile, KFS, whose responsibility is to protect and manage state forests, has yet to clarify how the approval for the encroachment was granted.

The forest conservation body issued a special-use license on June 14, 2023, granting Karura Golfing Limited permission to develop, operate, and manage the golf range, restaurant, and mini golf park in Ngong Road Forest Station.

NEMA says Kenya Pipeline also approved the project, which is said to be on wayleave.

This latest invasion of Ngong Forest comes just days after a public outcry erupted over the Kenya Forest Service's approval of a 51.64-acre wayleave in Karura Forest, granted to the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) for the expansion of Kiambu Road.

The decision was made following the 61st Board of Directors meeting on March 26, 2024, and KFS invited KeNHA to engage in the issuance of a special-use license to facilitate the project within the forest.

"We must be able to expose the hidden agenda… roads that are being created in a forest, people with good minds cannot think of that… you can create roads above the existing ones,” said Environmentalist Dr. Isaac Kalua Green.