Karura Forest/File
Friends of Karura Forest are petitioning the government in their latest effort to retain a role in managing operations at the forest.
In a petition addressed to Environment CS Deborah Barasa, the group argued that management of the forest should remain under their joint arrangement with the Kenya Forest Service .
“As someone who has taken up the role of Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry in Kenya, with a passion to improve the quality of life and health outcomes for all people, we, the undersigned, call on you to urgently join us to protect Karura Forest – ‘The People’s Forest,’” the petition reads.
The Friends of Karura Forest Community Forest Association (FKF-CFA) notes that its longstanding partnership with KFS has significantly improved the forest and benefited surrounding communities.
They said 15 years ago, Karura was considered unsafe, with few venturing inside, until the leadership of Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai and community action helped transform it.
That shift led to the Forests Act 2005, which enabled communities to co-manage forests. FKF-CFA was established in 2009 and has since become a model for other Community Forest Associations across the country.
According to the group, the partnership with KFS has turned Karura into one of Kenya’s environmental success stories.
The forest now attracts more than 75,000 visitors each month, supports hundreds of livelihoods and serves as a sanctuary within Nairobi.
Under the Joint Management Agreement running until 2041, revenue generated in the forest is reinvested in conservation, security, staff salaries, wildlife protection, education and community projects.
FKF-CFA says this system ensures accountability through a jointly managed account with KFS.
However, KFS recently announced that all payments for entry, parking and related services at Karura, including Sigiria block, must now be made through the government’s e-Citizen platform (Paybill 222222).
The directive, effective from August 29, followed a National Treasury circular requiring all government services to adopt the platform.
KFS said the move is part of efforts to improve transparency, security and efficiency in public service delivery. It assured visitors that all other activities in the forest would continue as usual and that collaboration with the CFA remains in place.
FKF-CFA has expressed concern, saying it was not consulted and warning that redirecting forest revenue to the national government could undermine security, reduce transparency and weaken local accountability.
The group is asking the ministry to uphold the Joint Management Agreement and allow Karura to continue reinvesting revenue in its operations.
The petition also calls for assurances against encroachment or irregular developments in Karura, urging supporters to back the cause to “protect The People’s Forest”.
