Environment Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale has suspended the licenses granted to Karura Golf Range Ltd. for the construction of a leisure and entertainment facility in Ngong Road Forest, Nairobi. This decision follows public outcry and concerns over the encroachment on protected forest land.
The approval for the project was initially granted by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC). NEMA issued a conditional license for the development after KFS and KPC raised no objections. On June 14, 2023, KFS issued a special-use license permitting Karura Golf Range Ltd. to develop a golf range, restaurant, and mini-golf park in Ngong Road Forest.
However, environmentalists and members of the public strongly opposed the project, raising concerns about the potential harm to the forest ecosystem. This backlash led to CS Duale intervening. In a statement released on Tuesday evening, he directed NEMA Director General Mamo Boru Mamo and Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko to immediately suspend the licenses.
“My attention has been drawn to a Special Use License (LIC005/2023) issued to Karura Golf Range Ltd by Kenya Forest Service on June 14, 2023, for the development, operation, and management of a golf range, restaurant, and mini-golf park in Ngong Road Forest,” Duale said. He also noted the issuance of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) License by NEMA on November 28, 2024, for the same project.
Duale instructed KFS and NEMA officials to submit a detailed report on the issue within 72 hours. “My office will provide a way forward on this matter, which has garnered significant public interest, after receiving the briefing,” he said. Additionally, he announced plans to audit all previously issued licenses to ensure proper forest management and accountability.
The suspension of the licenses follows public outrage over other forest land encroachments, including the controversial approval of a 51.64-acre wayleave in Karura Forest for the Kenya National Highways Authority road expansion project.
