News

Update on Karura Forest

March 1, 2016
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
March 1, 2016
 
Nairobi, Kenya
 
Update on Karura Forest
 
Thank you for your continued and overwhelming support in the fight for integrity and preservation of Karura Forest.
 
Following the press statement from the Green Belt Movement (GBM) expressing our concern about proposed commercial development of the Sigiria Block of Karura Forest, and the great support from the public, there has been response through media from the Director of the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Mr. Emilio Mugo and from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources, Prof. Judi Wakhungu.
 
While we appreciate the verbal assurances that have been offered by the government officials, our stand as an organization remains that these alone are not enough. We are pressing for documented and official invalidation of any and all property rights to land in Karura Forest, including titles, licenses and other claims to property rights.
 
 
The Green Belt Movement maintains that the only developments expected in Karura Forest are those outlined in the Karura Forest Strategic Management Plans (2010-2014  and 2016-2020) which were jointly developed by the Kenya Forest Service and Friends of Karura Forest in accordance with the 2005 Forest Act.  Any commercial developments, outside these strategic plans would therefore be illegal and irregular.
 
There have also been questions raised about the presence of River Café in Karura Forest.  As part of the 2010-2014 Strategic Management Plan, on November 24, 2014, the KFS and Friends of Karura Forest (FKF) signed an agreement for the establishment of an administrative office for the Karura Forest Officer to be located at the gate, a visitor's information center and a café.  The development of a café in Karura Forest was therefore a planned activity in the strategic management plan between KFS and KFK.  The revenue from the café goes into a joint KFS/KFK account.
 
This fight to protect Karura is far from over, and GBM continues to seek your help to protect this vital natural resource.   We urge Kenyans to visit and enjoy the forest as much as you can.  Nothing can be a better endorsement of your value for Karura Forest than visiting it yourself. Please also continue to sign our petition to #SaveKaruraForest. It has garnered close to 4,000 signatures now and we urge you to keep the spirit up.  We will win this battle, because saving Karura Forest is the right thing to do.  GBM is inspired by your solidarity in support of the integrity of Karura Forest.
 
We will keep sharing information with the public as we get it.