The KFS's Side of the Story: Tarmacking in Karura Forest Explained

Alex Lemarkoko, Chief Conservator of Forests at the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), has defended the recent tarmacking of internal passages within Karura Forest.

Speaking on NTV Kenya's morning show, "Fixing the Nation," Lemarkoko clarified that these developments, particularly near the ranger village, align with the forest's established management framework.

The discussion follows recent tensions regarding Karura Forest’s management. KFS recently implemented a new eCitizen payment system on 30th August, a government directive to digitise all state agency payments.

This move, however, was reportedly rolled out without prior consultation with the Friends of Karura Community Forest Association (CFA), who have co-managed the forest with KFS since 2009.

During the show, a caller identified as James from Kiambu, a former employee of Friends of Karura, questioned the tarmacking near Gate 15.

James specifically asked why it proceeded without consultation or approval from the Joint Management Committee (JMC), emphasising that all projects within the forest traditionally required JMC approval.

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Lemarkoko, however, asserted that such consultations were not necessary for this particular project. He explained that KFS operates under a comprehensive Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP) for Karura.

This plan divides the forest into distinct zones, each with specific recommendations for action.

These zones include indigenous areas designated for conservation, plantation areas where 15 hectares are meant to be converted back to natural forest annually, and developed areas.

The latter category encompasses the KFS headquarters and staff quarters, referred to as the "Kijiji". For these developed zones, the PFMP explicitly recommends "maintain and develop".

“The fourth zone is developed areas, which include the KFS headquarters and staff quarters. And the recommendation as per the PFMP is to maintain and develop. So, when we improve the road network within our headquarters, that’s as per the PFMP,” Lemarkoko stated during the interview.

“So, the issue of whether there is an agreement or an approval does not arise because the PFMP clearly outlines that we can continue developing,” he added.

He further dismissed claims from the Friends of Karura that there was an agreement to convert the Kijiji into a conservation area once new staff quarters were built.

"It's not true. The PFMP designates the Kijiji area as a developed area, and it should remain that way," he emphasised. Lemarkoko also mentioned that KFS is developing a new headquarters within Karura.

Lemarkoko underscored the human aspect of the development, stressing the need for KFS officers and rangers to live in a "decent environment". The tarmac roads, he noted, facilitate "movement at night" and prevent walking on muddy paths.

“KFS officers and rangers are Kenyans, and they deserve to live in a decent environment. The tarmac road facilitates movements at night; we don’t have to walk on muddy paths,” he defended the move.

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He mentioned that while some structures in the Kijiji are almost 50 years old, new ones are as recent as one month, and ongoing refurbishment is taking place.

“We are refurbishing the houses, and the tarmac ensures our staff live with dignity while moving around,” he added.

The KFS Chief Conservator also revealed that the tarmacking project was a "negotiated agreement with one of our stakeholder who offered to improve our road network".