NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has temporarily barred members of the public from accessing several sections of Karura Forest after heavy rainfall caused rivers flowing through the forest to overflow.
In a public notice issued Friday, KFS said the persistent downpours had led to flooding in parts of the popular urban forest reserve, forcing authorities to close a number of trails for safety reasons.
“Due to the ongoing heavy rainfalls, rivers flowing through Karura Forest have burst their banks. As a result, paths leading to the caves, waterfalls, and bridges have been closed off,” the agency said.
KFS warned visitors against attempting to enter the restricted sections, emphasizing that the closures will remain in place until conditions improve.
“No member of the public is allowed to get into that area until further notice. The public is advised to exercise caution and report to the foresters’ office for any concerns,” the statement added.
Karura Forest, located in northern Nairobi, is one of the capital’s most popular recreational spaces, attracting joggers, cyclists, and nature enthusiasts who use its network of trails and scenic features.
Safety concerns amid heavy rains
The closure comes as the Kenya Meteorological Department has warned of continued heavy rains across parts of the country this season, raising concerns about flooding, slippery trails, and other hazards in outdoor recreational areas.
Authorities say overflowing rivers within forest ecosystems can make footpaths unstable and pose risks to visitors, particularly around bridges, caves, and waterfall areas.
Construction works at KFS headquarters
The safety notice also comes days after KFS addressed concerns over ongoing construction activities within its headquarters at Karura Forest.
In a statement issued on February 26, the agency clarified that the construction involves housing facilities for National Youth Service (NYS) personnel who will support environmental restoration initiatives.
“Currently, there is development of barracks for National Youth Service personnel who will be partnering with the Service to support the raising of tree seedlings,” KFS said.
The agency explained that the initiative is part of a broader national rollout taking place in several forest stations, including Ngong Hills Forest, where similar facilities are nearing completion.
Supporting the national tree-planting agenda
According to KFS, the partnership with NYS is intended to boost labour capacity for seedling production to support the government’s environmental targets.
“The partnership between KFS and NYS is meant to provide labour and boost tree seedling production to support realization of the national strategy of growing 15 billion trees by 2032 for realization of 30 percent tree cover,” the agency said.
KFS further said the barracks are temporary prefabricated structures located within an existing administrative and residential service zone at its headquarters.
The agency dismissed allegations from sections of civil society that the works could amount to land grabbing, forest excision or encroachment into conservation areas.
“There has been no excision of Karura forest land, allocation to private developers or encroachment into protected indigenous forest or core conservation areas,” the agency said.
KFS maintained that all ongoing activities comply with the Forest Conservation and Management Act (2016) and Article 69 of the Constitution of Kenya, which mandate the sustainable management and conservation of forests.
