Alarm raised over construction of luxurious hotel inside Ngong Forest

The Green Belt Movement (GBM) has raised concerns after reports of encroachment of the Ngong Forest, where the construction of a luxury hotel next to the sanctuary has been sighted.

In a letter addressed to the Kenya Forest Service CEO, Alexander Lemarkoko, GBM underscored the dangers posed by encroachment of protected forests both as a water catchment and a natural habitat, saying that the new development called for urgent intervention.

The non-governmental organisation underscored the dangers posed by seeking clarification regarding the hotel being erected, the identity of the owner and the details on who authorised the construction.

“As you are aware, Ngong Road Forest is a critical ecological and biodiversity resource in Nairobi. It provides essential ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, air purification, and water catchment protection, and serves as an important recreational and educational green space for the city's residents. It is also home to diverse flora and fauna, some of which are endangered,” stated GBM.

“It has come to our attention that a private developer has begun construction within this forest area. This development, if confirmed, raises serious environmental, legal, and ethical concerns. In light of the above, we respectfully demand the following information from your office.”

The movement now wants KFS to name the developer, outline the process by which the developer was granted access to erect the hotel and provide a copy of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report and license as issued by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) regarding the project.

This comes months after the KFS and NEMA suspended licenses they had earlier issued to a private developer for a golf course and a restaurant in Ngong Forest after public outcry.

Environmentalists had challenged the earlier green light given to Karura Golf Range Limited, warning that such developments pose a serious threat to Nairobi’s dwindling urban green spaces.

This came after former Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale directed the suspension of the license, calling for a fresh review of the whole process.

“Following yesterday's directive by Cabinet Secretary KFS and NEMA, have today suspended licenses issued to Karura Golf Range Ltd for the development, operation and management of a golf range, restaurant and mini golf part within Miotoni Block of Ngong Road Forest, Nairobi County pending review vide the attached letters,” stated Duale at the time.

The directive by Duale followed approvals by NEMA, KFS, and the Kenya Pipeline Company - government agencies that allowed the private developer to set up a leisure and entertainment facility on forest land.

Later, KFS and NEMA wrote to Karura Golf Range Limited, citing various reasons for the suspension of the licenses they had initially issued.