KFS suspends construction of posh camping facility inside Ngong Forest

The Green Belt Movement (GBM) had inked a letter to KFS seeking immediate answers, underscoring the dangers posed by the encroachment of protected forests.

In their rejoinder, KFS noted that the facility, a bush eco-camp, was erected after a rigorous approval process was undertaken.

KFS added that the camp is being developed in an area that has been captured in the Ngong Road Forest green master plan as an ecotourism zone. 

"The master plan was developed, verified and adopted by stakeholders following intensive public participation," read a statement in part.

"The project to develop a bush eco–camp was approved procedurally, having been assessed, and no extreme negative environmental impacts were identified. "

KFS also noted that the site the camp is being constructed on is a glade - a natural opening within a natural forest that does not have any trees, only bushes and grass - and no trees have been cleared.

It however believes that the uproar has been instigated by one of the members of the Ngong Road Forest Association, a team that co-manages the forest in collaboration with the Service, who was denied a green light to construct a Green Kids Museum Project which was to occupy eight (8) acres on the same site. 

"The applicant was unable to proceed with the museum, citing inability to meet the financial obligations of a Special Use License. This same person, in collaboration with other members of a known Civil Society, has created the misinformation that is currently circulating concerning the development of the eco–camp," said KFS.

"There is clear bias, and the public is advised to seek clarification from the Kenya Forest Service regarding any information about gazetted forests."

GBM had demanded that KFS 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.

Then Environment Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale, now heading the Health ministry, directed the suspension of the license, calling for a fresh review of the whole process.