FRIENDS OF KARURA OPPOSE PLANS BY KFS TO CONSTRUCT BARRACKS INSIDE THE FOREST

Karura Forest, one of Kenya’s treasured urban green spaces, is facing a new threat. The Friends of Karura Forest (FKF) has issued a statement opposing plans by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to construct barracks inside the forest to house National Youth Service (NYS) personnel working on an expanded tree nursery program.

While FKF fully supports the goal of increasing seedling production for reforestation efforts, the organisation argues that the proposed location sets a dangerous precedent for the integrity of the forest.

“We continue to strongly oppose Kenya Forest Service plans to construct barracks deep inside the forest for National Youth Service (NYS) personnel working on the extended tree nursery,” the statement reads.

FKF said that there is a clear and sensible alternative. The Kenya Forest Service already occupies a 55-hectare (136-acre) headquarters along Kiambu Road, a site equipped with existing roads, infrastructure, and urban amenities. Housing the NYS teams there would achieve the same operational goals without sacrificing forest land.

“FKF supports the idea of increasing substantially the production of good quality seedlings – what we do not want is the construction of an urban settlement deep inside Kenya’s most popular recreational forest,” the organization stated. “NYS teams can easily be housed in KFS HQ which covers 55 hectares (136 acres) of land along Kiambu Road with existing roads and infrastructure.”

At the heart of the dispute is a disagreement over the proposed construction site. According to KFS, the project falls within their Headquarters boundary. However, FKF contends that the official map outlined in the KFS/FKF Management Agreement tells a different story.

“KFS claims the proposed construction is within their Headquarters while the official map from the KFS/FKF Management Agreement shows the site is actually almost a kilometre away, deep inside the forest,” the statement clarifies. “It is therefore covered by the Forest Management Plan, requiring participatory forest management.”

Conservationists warn that allowing this development would erode the protections that safeguard urban forests.

“Every square inch of Karura is an irreplaceable and precious urban treasure,” FKF stated “Building barracks on forest land will turn a piece of our common invaluable natural heritage into ordinary real estate, meaning the integrity of Kenya’s urban forests is no longer sacrosanct.”

Friends of Karura Forest is now mobilising public support to halt the project. The organisation is urging Nairobi residents and nature lovers to make their voices heard.

“Help us fight this project by flooding the zone,” FKF urged. “Hit Like, leave a brief comment and share widely to give this post maximum traction.“

The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has addressed concerns circulating online about construction activities at its headquarters in Karura Forest. The service says the works are taking place within the forest rangers’ residential area and do not threaten the protected forest.