The Green Belt Movement has called for an immediate stop to ongoing works inside Karura Forest, raising alarm over tree clearing and reported plans to put up accommodation facilities for the National Youth Service within the forest.
In a statement dated February 27, 2026, the organisation said it “stands in full solidarity with Friends of Karura Forest in opposing the ongoing tree clearance and reported plans to construct accommodation facilities for the National Youth Service within Karura Forest.”
It questioned the legality and openness of the process, citing the absence of public participation, lack of clarity on environmental approvals and failure to involve key community stakeholders.
The group disclosed that its Advocacy Team met officials from the Kenya Forest Service on Thursday, February 26, 2026, to seek answers over developments taking place at the Rangers Village area.
According to the statement, the forestry agency confirmed that works were in progress but maintained that the structures being set up were temporary containers expected to remain in place until 2032.
However, the movement said what is happening on the ground does not match the explanation given.
It pointed to the cutting of indigenous trees and site preparation activities, arguing that the scale and character of the works appear inconsistent with what has been described as temporary installations.
The organisation posed several questions regarding how the project was approved and rolled out.
It asked, “Why was there no public participation prior to the commencement of this project?” stressing that public participation is not optional and describing it as a constitutional requirement and a cornerstone of accountable environmental governance.
It also sought to know why the Friends of Karura Forest, which it described as a legally recognised co-manager under the Forest Conservation and Management Act of 2016, was neither informed nor engaged.
The statement noted that Community Forest Associations were created to ensure communities have a voice in forest management and should not be sidelined in key decisions.
The movement further questioned why a letter sent on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, requesting clarification had not received any response. “Silence in the face of legitimate concerns only erodes public trust,” it said.
On environmental compliance, the organisation demanded clarity on whether an Environmental Impact Assessment was conducted before tree clearance began and whether it was subjected to public review as required by law.
It also asked what legal basis was used to permit tree cutting if such an assessment had not been undertaken.
The statement challenged the decision to site accommodation facilities inside the forest, asking why the same could not be constructed within the Kenya Forest Service headquarters along Kiambu Road, which it said sits on vast land already served by infrastructure.
Additionally, the organisation raised concern over plans to establish a nursery within Karura Forest to produce two million seedlings.
It questioned why such a large-scale nursery should be located in an ecologically sensitive urban forest instead of closer to the intended planting sites, stating that “the ecological and social value of Karura lies in its restoration and protection as indigenous forest, not in converting it into an accommodation and operational zone.”
The Green Belt Movement said forests in Kenya belong to the people and that those entrusted with their care must uphold transparency, accountability and the law.
It added that conservation decisions should be guided by science, public interest and professional judgment, and reflect institutional independence.
The organisation reminded the forestry authority of the legal role of Community Forest Associations, warning that sidelining them weakens forest protection efforts across the country.
Describing Karura as a symbol of citizen-led environmental protection whose safeguarding was hard won, the group declared, “We are tired of the constant attacks on public forests.”
It has now urged the Kenya Forest Service to immediately halt all activities in the disputed area, make public all approvals and environmental assessments, organise a transparent public participation process and issue a written response within seven days.
“Our forests are a public trust for present and future generations,” the statement concluded, pledging continued efforts to defend lawful and participatory forest governance.
