Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has suspended licenses issued by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) that allowed the construction of a golf course within Ngong Road Forest in Nairobi.
The licenses had been issued to Karura Golf Range Ltd., permitting the establishment of a golf course, a mini-golf park, and a restaurant on forest land.
Duale directed NEMA Director General Mamo Boru Mamo and Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Alex Lemarkoko to suspend the licenses and provide a detailed report on the matter within 72 hours.
KFS Barred From Issuing Further Licenses
“Consequently, I have directed the Chief Conservator of Forests and the Director General of NEMA to suspend the two licenses and prepare a detailed brief of the matter within 72 hours,” Duale stated.
Additionally, the CS imposed a ban on KFS from issuing any further special licenses and announced that an audit would be conducted on all previously issued licenses.
“KFS has been directed to refrain from issuing any additional special licenses. An audit of all licenses previously issued will be conducted in due course to ensure transparency and accountability,” he added.
Duale further assured the public that his office would outline the way forward on the matter once he receives briefs from the relevant officials.
The Kenya Forest Service issued the license to Karura Golf Range Ltd. on June 14, 2023, while NEMA granted a conditional license on November 28, 2024. NEMA clarified that the license was issued after confirming there were no objections from KFS or Kenya Pipeline.
The suspension comes amid public outrage over increasing encroachment on protected forest land.
Days earlier, the Green Belt Movement sued the government over plans to excise 51.64 acres of Karura Forest for the expansion of Kiambu Road.
According to the movement, the government entered into an agreement with a Chinese company to finance the construction of a dual carriageway on Kiambu Road. The project is reportedly backed by an advance loan estimated at Ksh38 billion.
The developments have sparked concerns over forest conservation and land management, prompting calls for accountability and transparency in environmental approvals.
