The Environment and Land Court has restricted the use of Karura Forest for road expansion, ruling that only 0.1233 hectares can be allocated for the project along Kiambu Road.
The court rejected the earlier approval granting the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) 51.64 acres, a license issued by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS).
In its decision, the court also revoked two special user licenses issued within the forest, citing a lack of public participation.
The ruling followed a petition filed by the Green Belt Movement last year to stop the government’s plan to annex 51.64 acres for the road’s dualing.
The environmental lobby, co-founded by Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai, argued that a private entity intended to use the forest land without securing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approvals from KFS or the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
It further claimed that approvals for road construction and additional facilities, including a recreational centre and ablution block, failed to meet legal standards.
KFS had defended its decision, stating that the road expansion fell within an existing wayleave gazetted in 1951, which has been part of Karura Forest since before independence.
The agency added that no large-scale allocation had been planned, except for a 2.2-hectare interchange.
