Nairobi, Kenya, December 17- Plans for a restaurant and golf range in Ngong Road Forest Station have hit a major roadblock after the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) suspended its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) licence.
The suspension follows an inspection by environmental officers who flagged significant ecological and safety concerns tied to the proposed project.
Key Concerns: Biodiversity and Safety
The development, proposed by Karura Golf Range Limited, is located in the Miotoni block of Ngong Road Forest, a public forest renowned for its ecological significance and biodiversity. NEMA raised alarm over the project’s overlap with a pipeline wayleave, citing potential safety risks and incompatibility with the forest’s conservation role.
NEMA stressed the importance of further ecological studies to fully understand the potential impacts of the development.
“The proposed site, being a public forest of high biodiversity conservation value, requires a comprehensive assessment of ecological risks and impacts. This must be conducted inclusively, with active public participation to ensure meaningful engagement and acceptance,” the authority explained.
Additionally, NEMA stated that a Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) is essential to evaluate potential threats to the environment, nearby communities, and adjacent properties.
Legal Grounds for the Suspension
The decision is backed by the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) of 1999. Citing Section 64(1)(b), NEMA has directed the project’s proponents to undertake a new EIA study due to unforeseen environmental risks.
Under Section 67(2) of EMCA, no project can proceed if its EIA licence has been suspended, revoked, or cancelled, unless a new licence is issued.
This suspension underscores NEMA’s commitment to safeguarding ecologically sensitive areas and prioritizing public safety.
