Friends of Karura Forest raise alarm over forest future

 The Friends of Karura Forest (FKF) Community Forest Association has raised alarm over what they described as a threat to the future of Karura Forest.

This follows a unilateral move by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to take over entry fee collection and forest management.

FKF in a statement on Monday expressed deep concern over the Kenya Forest Service’s decision, announced on 29 August 2025, to assume full control of the forest’s revenue collection via the government’s E-Citizen platform.

 The announcement also included an abrupt order for all FKF staff, including security personnel and scouts, to vacate the forest by 1 pm the same day.

Karanja Njoroge, past chair of FKF and a board member termed the future of Karura Forest as uncertain.

“We are growing increasingly concerned about what will happen to Karura going forwards, as there is no clear path for how it is being managed” Njoroge said.

“We are also shocked by the entrance fee increase, which could stop Kenyans from enjoying one of the largest urban forests in the world.”

The new E-Citizen system has increased the entrance fee for adults from Sh100 to Sh174 due to a Sh50 platform fee and 16 per cent VAT.

 Fees for children more than doubled, rising from Sh50 to Sh116.

The association said the sharp increase has already deterred visitors, with weekend numbers falling drastically.

FKF also raised concern about the fate of 122 scouts and over 400 community support staff who have been sustaining their livelihoods through the forest’s revenue under the Joint Management Agreement.

“These staff were responsible for maintaining infrastructure, providing security, managing biodiversity, and facilitating community involvement,” FKF said in the statement.

“We need to urgently get Friends of Karura in again to jointly manage the forest day-to-day operations and work with local communities,” Njoroge said.

The group noted that all management funds were handled transparently under the agreement, with implementation contracts legally binding FKF to forest operations.

Referring to the late Wangari Maathai, Njoroge noted, “Our Nobel Laureate saved this forest for the people of Kenya. We owe it to her and the 70,000 visitors who come every month to ensure the forest is run smoothly and safely for all.”

FKF is now calling for immediate restoration of the Joint Management Agreement to protect the forest’s integrity, accessibility, and sustainability.