NAIROBI, Kenya – The Friends of Karura Forest (FKF) Association has vowed to take legal action against the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), accusing it of forcefully taking over revenue collection at Karura Forest in violation of a long-standing joint management agreement.
FKF board member Prof. Karanja Njoroge said the move, which shifts all payments for entry, parking and annual passes to the government’s eCitizen platform, was carried out without consultation and undermines a 20-year partnership that has sustained the forest’s operations.
“We have signed agreements, and we’ll go to court. The only place you can run when you are under attack is the judicial system, which can examine the investments we’ve made—our blood, work, sweat and money,” Prof. Njoroge said on Nation FM’s Fixing the Nation show on Monday.
KFS has already deployed rangers and administrative staff to enforce the directive, ordering FKF workers to step aside.
The association warns the takeover threatens staff jobs, compromises conservation programmes and disrupts funding for essential services such as forest fencing, maintenance and community outreach.
Under the joint management committee (JMC) arrangement, fees collected at Karura were deposited into a joint account to support salaries, infrastructure and forest restoration activities.
FKF insists the unilateral transition to eCitizen not only undermines this structure but also raises entry costs due to additional VAT and processing charges.
Njoroge accused KFS of operating in a “hostile and dismissive” manner, citing recent bulldozer works inside the forest—including a tarmac road project near staff housing—without consultation.
He also alleged that KFS had exceeded agreed timber harvesting limits, cutting 35 hectares instead of the approved 10.
“This is not how we have operated for 15 years. It is painful. We approved only 10 hectares, but they harvested 35. This is damaging to forest conservation,” he said.
FKF now says it will mobilise Kenyans, conservationists and well-wishers to defend Karura’s integrity.
“This is a renewed fight for Karura. KFS cannot just take over and act without consultation. We must protect this important part of our country’s history,” Prof. Njoroge added.
The standoff adds to growing controversy around government digitalisation of payments, which has triggered public concerns over transparency, rising costs and reduced community participation in heritage and conservation projects.
