Nairobi, September 1- Friends The Friends of Karura Forest (FKF) Community Forest Association has voiced alarm over what it sees as a looming threat to the survival of Karura Forest.
Their concern stems from the Kenya Forest Service’s (KFS) unilateral decision to take over forest management and entry fee collection. In a statement issued Monday, FKF criticized the KFS directive, announced on 29 August 2025, which shifted all revenue collection to the government’s E-Citizen platform. The directive also ordered FKF staff—including scouts and security teams—to leave the forest premises by 1 pm the same day.
According to FKF board member and former chair Karanja Njoroge, the forest’s future now hangs in the balance.
“We are deeply worried about Karura’s direction, as there is no clear plan for its management,” he said. “We are equally shocked by the sudden hike in entry charges, which risks locking out ordinary Kenyans from accessing one of the world’s largest urban forests.”
Under the new system, adult entry fees have risen from Sh100 to Sh174 due to the inclusion of a Sh50 platform fee and 16% VAT. Children’s charges have more than doubled, climbing from Sh50 to Sh116. FKF reported that the steep increases have already discouraged visitors, with weekend attendance plummeting.
The association further highlighted the uncertain future of 122 scouts and over 400 community staff who relied on forest revenue for their livelihoods under the Joint Management Agreement. These workers played a key role in maintaining infrastructure, ensuring security, conserving biodiversity, and engaging communities.
“Friends of Karura must urgently be brought back into daily operations and community collaboration,” Njoroge urged. FKF also stressed that all management funds had been handled transparently under binding contracts that governed forest operations.
