Former Chief Justice David Maraga/KNA
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has condemned the manner in which the government unilaterally took over the management of Karura Forest last Friday.
Maraga says the change of management without public participation and notice is a violation of the constitution of Kenya, specifically Article 10.
However, KFS has come out to assure stakeholders and visitors to the popular site that the changes won’t affect their access to the facility saying only the payment platform has been affected.
On Saturday, Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko said all payments for gate entry, parking, and related services will now be made through the approved government platform, in line with a National Treasury directive requiring all state services to onboard onto e-Citizen.
Lemarkoko said the only adjustment is the payment platform. All other aspects of management will remain unchanged.
He further emphasised that staff will not be affected.
“The only change is the payment platform itself; all other aspects of Karura Forest management will remain the same,” said Mr. Lemarkoko.
“The change does not affect the staff employed in Karura Forest.”
The ex-CJ said the developments at Karura Forest are a cause of concern. For 15 years, Karura Forest has been a respite for Nairobians and families as green spaces continue to diminish in the once ‘Green City in the Sun’.
“The lack of public participation regarding the change of management of Karura Forest is a clear violation of Article 10 of the Constitution. The increase in entrance fees and directive to use the questionable E-Citizen-a platform, which the Auditor General has raised serious concerns about, put to question the true intentions of the move by the Keya Forest service,” he said in a statement.
Maraga, who has expressed his interest in unseating President William Ruto, said as custodians of the constitution and environment, they will not stand by and watch the brazen attempt at the destruction of the country’s natural resources.
“The continued violation of the Constitution is further confirmation that President Ruto has no regard for the rule of law, despite only three days ago purporting to lead in the commemoration of Katiba Day. Saying one thing and doing the opposite is duplicitous leadership that has come to characterise the current presidency. Its hurting our people, our resources and our efforts in nation-building.”
Last weekend, a dispute surfaced over the management of Karura Forest following concerns raised by the Friends of Karura Forest Association (FKF) regarding what they described as an alleged takeover of management by the KFS and the introduction of e-Citizen payment systems.
In a statement issued on Friday, the association said the move appeared inconsistent with the existing Karura Forest Management Plan (2021–2041).
According to FKF, this plan is a legally recognised framework that mandates joint management of the forest between the community group and KFS.
The association stated that it had not been consulted on any intended changes.
“This is not what we had agreed in our management framework. This move blatantly disregards the existing Karura forest management plan. 2021-2041, a legally recognised 20-year agreement that clearly mandates the joint management of the forest between KFS and Friends of Karura,” the association said.
