NAIROBI, Kenya – Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry Aden Duale has cancelled a license issued to the Karura Golf Range by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS).
The license was meant to develop, operate, and manage the golf range.
“My attention has this evening been drawn to a Special Use License (LIC005/2023) issued to Karura Golf Range Ltd by Kenya Forest Service (KFS) on June 14, 2023, for the development, operation, and management of a golf range, restaurant, and mini golf park in Ngong Road Forest, Nairobi County,” CS Duale said.
What CS Aden Duale asked KFS and NEMA bosses to do
In a detailed statement on his official X account (formerly Twitter), the CS said his attention had also been brought to Environmental Impact Assessment (IEA) License No. NEMA/IEA/PSL/36483, which the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) issued to the company on November 28, 2024.
“Consequently, I have directed the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) and the Director General of NEMA to suspend the two licenses and prepare a detailed brief within 72 hours,” CS Duale further said.
According to CS Duale, his office will provide a way forward on the matter that has attracted significant public interest after the briefing by the CCF and the Director General of NEMA.
“KFS has been directed to refrain from issuing any additional special licenses. An audit of all licenses previously issued will be conducted in due course to ensure transparency and accountability.,” the CS, a close ally of President William Ruto, said.
What the KFS letter to Karura Golf Range stated
CS Duale’s remarks follow a letter from KFS to the Managing Director, Karura Golf Range, on the Special Use Licence (LIC005/2023) dated June 14, 2023.
“The enclosed Special Use License (LIC005/2023) is issued to the Karura Golf Range Limited for the development, operation, and management of a golf range, restaurant, and mini-golf park in Ngong Road Forest station, Nairobi County,” the letter seen by Y News reads in part.
It further reads: “By a copy of this license, the County Forest Conservator, Nairobi County, shall facilitate access to the site and ensure all parties adhere to forest legislation and provisions of the Special Use License and make payments as indicated therein.”
According to Charity Munyasya ‘ndc’ (k) for the Chief Conservator of Forests, the state agency assured the public through the letter that no trees will be affected by the project.
How NEMA gave the green light for the project implementation
The letter was copied to, among others, the Regional Forest Conservator, Nairobi County, and the County Forest Conservator, Nairobi.
Meanwhile, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) also gave the golf club the green light after approving the Environmental Impact Assessment License of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act.
In a letter by Y News, the state agency stated that it had reviewed the Environmental Impact Assessment Project Report from Karura Golf Range Limited regarding the proposed restaurant and golf range by the Environmental Impact Assessment and Audit Regulations, 2023.
“The report, whose objective is to carry on construction of a restaurant and a golf range located within KFS Ngong Road Forest station off the Southern Bypass, in Lang’ata Sub-County, Nairobi County, has been reviewed and a license issued for the implementation of the project, subject to the attached conditions.
The letter was issued on November 28, 2024, from the Director General of NEMA.
