An aerial view of Ngong Forest as seen along Karen road.
Owners of a firm permitted to construct a golf club inside Ngong Forest have been revealed, even as investigations indicate that the process to approve the development began under the previous government and was concluded by the current administration.
The licence for the project was granted to Karura Golf Range Limited by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) in June 2023.
The directors of the company, headquartered on Eldama Ravine Road, Parklands, on Plot Number 25, are Kapildev Arunkumar and Harpal Singh Choda, according to the latest records from the Registrar of Companies.
An inspection report by the National Environment Management Authority (Nema), dated December 17, 2024, indicates that the firm holds a ‘Kenya Forest Service Issued Special Use Licence’ number LICOO/2023.
“Based on advice from the lead agency, KFS, and the ‘No Objection’ from the Kenya Pipeline Company, Nema reviewed the report and issued a conditional licence, No. NEMA/EIA/PSL/36483,” Nema stated in an official release on Tuesday, explaining that the inspection followed complaints of alleged illegal encroachment on Ngong Forest.
The licence, Nema clarified, permits the development, operation, and management of a golf range, restaurant, and mini-golf park within the Ngong Road Forest Station.
“By a copy of this licence, the County Forest Conservator, Nairobi County, shall facilitate access to the site, ensure all parties adhere to forest legislation and the provisions of the Special Use Licence, and ensure payments are made as indicated therein,” instructed Ms Charity Munyasya, a senior assistant director at KFS, in a letter dated June 14, 2023.
However, in an exclusive interview with Nation on Wednesday, Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the suspension of the licence.
“I have suspended the licence issued to Karura Golf Range Limited by KFS, including the conditional licence granted by Nema. There are also other organisations, including government agencies like Kenya Re, with title deeds for land gazetted as forest land. I will cancel all those title deeds within the next two days and issue an official letter to the Ministry of Lands,” the CS disclosed.
He explained that the KFS licence obtained by Karura Golf Range Limited was approved during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure, long before his appointment as Environment CS by President William Ruto.
This claim, however, is contradicted by a letter seen by Nation that was dated June 2023.
“When I assumed this ministry, it was plagued by corruption. I refuse to tarnish my reputation, which is why I have cancelled everything. The licence was issued by former KFS chair Peter Kinyua, who owns a similar restaurant in Karura Forest and served between 2016 and 2022,” CS Duale stated.
Cancel title deeds
“My PS is drafting letters for me. I will write to the Ministry of Lands to cancel all title deeds for gazetted forest land. There is no justification for having such title deeds, and I will follow proper procedure,” Mr Duale stressed.
Documents obtained by Nation from the Environment Ministry reveal that 23 corporate entities have secured forest land, which KFS claims to have ‘leased’ to them.
These entities include China Roads and Bridges, Suffolk Wood Treatment Works Limited, Ristel Services Limited, Karen Trunk Sewer Link, Stan Interiors Designers, The Police Dog Section, Nairobi Chapel, and PCEA Mugumo-ini Church, among others.
Although the Golf Ridge project has not commenced, the encroachment of Ngong Forest occurs against a backdrop of increasing demand for green spaces. This comes just days after KFS approved a 51.64-acre wayleave in Karura Forest for the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to expand Kiambu Road.
“Currently, we are fencing Ngong Forest in partnership with I&M Bank,” CS Duale told Nation.
Dr Isaac Kalua Green, chief steward of Green Africa Group, commended the suspension of licences by CS Duale but emphasised the need for long-term protection of Kenya’s forests.
“Kenya is at a critical crossroads. Our forests – from Karura and Ngong Road to Mau and Arabuko Sokoke – are under siege. Development projects must proceed with adequate environmental safeguards,” Dr Kalua said in an interview.
He called for the preservation of Karura Forest, a global conservation icon, to honour the legacy of Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai.
“The world is watching as Kenya balances progress and preservation. Will we choose short-term gains or long-term sustainability?” he asked.
Following the directive by CS Duale, KFS and Nema on Wednesday announced the suspension of licences issued to Karura Golf Range Ltd for the development, operation, and management of a golf range, restaurant, and mini-golf park within the Miotoni Block of Ngong Road Forest, pending review.
