The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has clarified claims regarding the planned expansion of Kiambu Road and its impact on Karura Forest.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 11, KFS explained that part of Kiambu Road had been within Karura Forest’s boundaries since before Kenya gained independence. It further revealed that the Kiambu Road wayleave was officially gazetted in 1951, confirming that the planned expansion will occur within the already existing wayleave.
“Kenya Forest Service seeks to clarify a matter regarding the status of Karura Forest wayleave. Kiambu Road wayleave was gazetted in 1951 and hence has been in existence within Karura Gazetted Forest since the pre-independence era.
“Therefore, the intended expansion of Kiambu Road will be within the wayleave, and the notion that Karura Forest is being given out for the expansion of Kiambu Road is false, save for the planned interchange measuring 2.2 hectares (5.4 acres),” KFS stated.
The statement came after concerns were raised by the Green Belt Movement (GBM), an organization founded by the late Nobel Laureate Prof. Wangari Maathai. GBM had claimed that the government was planning to annex 51.64 acres of Karura Forest for the road expansion project.
On its part, GBM disclosed that it had moved to court to block the alleged move, labeling it as a malicious encroachment on the forest.
“The Green Belt Movement has moved to court to stop the government’s plan to annex 51.64 acres of Karura Forest for the expansion of Kiambu Road. Kenyans, Karura is our heritage, and we must act now to stop this malicious encroachment,” GBM remarked.
The clarification from KFS seeks to reassure the public that the forest is not under threat, except for the minimal land required for a planned interchange within the existing wayleave.
