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In the heart of Nairobi, Ngong Forest stands as a verdant testament to the city's commitment to preserving its natural heritage. Yet, recent developments have cast a shadow over this green sanctuary, as news emerged of a private developer initiating construction of a luxury hotel within the forest's confines.
This revelation has sparked a maelstrom of public outrage and governmental scrutiny, bringing to light concerns about environmental conservation, regulatory oversight, and the clandestine nature of urban development.
The controversy centers around Karura Golf Range Ltd., a private entity that, on June 14, 2023, secured a special-use license from the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to develop, operate, and manage a golf range, restaurant, and mini-golf park within Ngong Road Forest Station.
Subsequently, on November 28, 2024, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) issued an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) license for the project. These approvals, granted with minimal public awareness, have ignited a firestorm of criticism from environmentalists, local communities, and concerned citizens.
The public's reaction has been swift and vehement. Social media platforms have become arenas for expressing indignation and disbelief. One user, Kim Koima, encapsulated the sentiment by questioning, "A 'private' developer is building a hotel inside Ngong Forest, without NEMA approval and public participation since it's a PUBLIC forest.
This greed for land is becoming too much, when will it be enough?!" Another concerned citizen, Sammy Kibe PhD, expressed skepticism, stating, "Building a luxury hotel within the Ngong forest is just unbelievable. KFS says it's a temporary one. Not believable. But why the secrecy if it's legit?" These voices reflect a broader apprehension about the transparency and legitimacy of the project's approval process.
The uproar has prompted decisive action from governmental authorities. Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale intervened by directing NEMA's Director General, Mamo Boru Mamo, and KFS's Chief Conservator of Forests, Alex Lemarkoko, to suspend the licenses issued to Karura Golf Range Ltd.
Duale emphasized the need for a comprehensive review, stating, "Consequently, I have directed the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) and the Director General of NEMA to suspend the two licenses and prepare a detailed brief on the matter within 72 hours." He further mandated an audit of all previously issued licenses to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of the nation's forest resources.
NEMA, in response to the CS's directive and the mounting public concern, suspended the EIA license for the project. The authority cited the ecological sensitivity of the proposed site, its location within a pipeline wayleave, and the absence of a comprehensive risk assessment as primary reasons for the suspension. NEMA underscored the necessity for a thorough ecological impact assessment, highlighting the forest's high conservation value and the potential risks posed by the development.
This incident is not an isolated case but rather indicative of a troubling pattern of encroachment on Nairobi's green spaces. Just days prior, public outcry erupted over KFS's approval of a 51.64-acre wayleave in Karura Forest, granted to the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) for the expansion of Kiambu Road.
Environmentalists argue that such developments pose significant threats to biodiversity, water catchment areas, and the overall ecological balance. Dr. Isaac Kalua Green, an environmentalist, voiced his concerns, stating, "We must be able to expose the hidden agenda… roads that are being created in a forest, people with good minds cannot think of that… you can create roads above the existing ones."
The clandestine nature of the Ngong Forest project has raised pressing questions about the transparency of governmental agencies tasked with environmental protection. The lack of public participation and awareness in the approval process has been a focal point of criticism. Citizens are demanding greater accountability and openness, emphasizing that decisions impacting public resources and environmental heritage should not be made behind closed doors.
As the situation unfolds, the future of the Ngong Forest development remains uncertain. The suspension of licenses and the ordered reviews signal a potential shift towards more stringent oversight and a reevaluation of policies governing urban development within protected areas. This episode serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between development and conservation, underscoring the imperative for sustainable practices that honor and preserve Nairobi's natural heritage.
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