Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has directed the suspension of licenses granted to Karura Golf Range Ltd for establishing an entertainment facility within Nairobi's Ngong Road Forest. The order, issued to National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Director General Mamo Boru Mamo and Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko, comes amid public outcry over potential encroachment on protected forest land.
The licenses were previously approved by NEMA, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and the Kenya Pipeline Company, allowing the private developer to set up a golf range, restaurant, and mini golf park on forest land. NEMA defended its conditional approval, citing no objections from KFS or Kenya Pipeline.
“My attention has been drawn to a Special Use License (LIC005/2023) issued by KFS on June 14, 2023, and an Environmental Impact Assessment (IEA) License (NEMA/IEA/PSL/36483) issued by NEMA on November 28, 2024, to Karura Golf Range Ltd,” Duale said in a statement Tuesday evening.
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Duale ordered the immediate suspension of the licenses and instructed NEMA and KFS officials to submit a comprehensive report within 72 hours. He emphasized that no additional special licenses should be issued by KFS until further notice.
“My office will provide guidance on this matter, which has attracted significant public interest, after reviewing the report from the Chief Conservator of Forests and the Director General of NEMA,” he stated.
Duale also announced plans for an audit of all previously issued licenses to ensure accountability and transparency.
The controversy comes just days after public criticism over KFS's decision to grant a 51.64-acre wayleave in Karura Forest to the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) for road expansion. KFS, tasked with managing and safeguarding state forests, has yet to clarify how the Ngong Road Forest development approval was granted.
