KFS Halts Luxury Hotel Project In Ngong Road Forest After Public Outcry
The government, through the Chief Conservator of Forests, has bowed to popular pressure and halted the planned construction of an eco-camp in Ngong Road Forest.
The action came in response to extensive social media concerns, causing the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to admit that clearance had been obtained for the project.
However, KFS explained that the intended site was a natural glade, which is an open region within a forest with grass and bushes rather than trees, and hence no trees had been felled.
— Kenya Forest Service (@KeForestService) May 17, 2025
“Kenya Forest Service wishes to clarify that the site in question is a glade, which is a natural opening within a forest that typically has no trees, only bushes and grass,” the agency stated.
“Hence, during the development of this eco-camp, no trees have been cleared.”
According to the KFS, the contested site where the eco-camp was being built is classified as an ecotourism zone in the Ngong Road Forest Green Master Plan.
KFS said that the plan was designed, validated, and implemented after substantial stakeholder and public participation.
The EPA also explained that the bush eco-camp project was approved through a procedural process after an environmental evaluation revealed no substantial negative impacts.
CLARIFICATION FROM NGONG ROAD FOREST ASSOCIATION ON ALLEGED CONSTRUCTION OF A LUXURY HOTEL IN NGONG ROAD FOREST
— The Ngong Road Forest Association (@NRFA2015) May 16, 2025
Cc: @KeForestService pic.twitter.com/ZuDpEGiGXR
KFS said that it provided a Special usage License in accordance with the legislation, allowing for non-extractive usage of natural forests as outlined in the Forest Participation Regulations.
The permission was also directed by Legal Notice No. 21 of 2016, which included the applicable charges.
In an unexpected turn of events, the KFS expressed alarm about what it described as potential extortion by civil society groups and a developer who had earlier proposed to create a Green Kids Museum on the same site designated for the eco-camp.
KFS revealed that the applicant was unable to proceed with the museum project after failing to meet the financial requirements for a Special Use License.
The agency claims the developer then resorted to alternative means to achieve other unspecified objectives.
“This same person, in collaboration with other members of a known Civil Society, has created the misinformation that is currently circulating concerning the development of the eco-camp,” it added.
“There is a clear bias, and the public is advised to seek clarification from the Kenya Forest Service regarding any information about gazetted forests.”
KFS stated plans to have a roundtable meeting with all parties to address the issues mentioned.
Meanwhile, all eco-camp development operations have been suspended.
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In response, the Green Belt Movement, a conservation-focused civil society organization, called for complete transparency regarding the eco-camp project within Ngong Road Forest.
The group expressed concern about the project’s lack of clarity and asked a number of key questions.
This includes the identity of the private developer, how access and permits were obtained, and if public participation followed the law.
They also questioned the existence of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report and whether any portions of the forest had been secretly cut.
KFS Halts Luxury Hotel Project In Ngong Road Forest After Public Outcry.
