The Friends of Karura Forest (FKF) have apologised to visitors after disruptions to services at the popular urban forest, as tensions between the community trust and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) continue to escalate.
In a statement issued this week, FKF acknowledged that routine operations at Karura had been interrupted, affecting thousands of visitors who rely on the forest for recreation, exercise and events.
“Friends of Karura Forest wishes to apologize for the disruption in services normally offered to our visitors. Applications and renewal of annual people and dog passes, membership services, picnic, events and ecotours bookings and other services have all been affected due to the lack of access to our offices by our staff,” the organisation said.
FKF added that the changes, triggered by a recent government directive, left visitors without clear alternatives.
“No alternative seems to have been offered under the new system. Please bear with us as we are working very hard to find an amicable solution to this financial and operational predicament,” the statement continued.
The apology was accompanied by a social media campaign, with hashtags such as #karuraforest, #friendsofkarura, #savekarura, #handsoffkarura, and #bringbackfkf. The move reflected FKF’s attempt to not only reassure visitors but also to mobilise public support as they navigate one of the most significant challenges in the forest’s recent history.
Karura Forest, a 1,000-hectare sanctuary in Nairobi, has become a symbol of successful conservation and urban renewal. Once associated with crime and encroachment, the forest was transformed under the joint management of FKF and KFS into a safe space for biodiversity protection, jogging trails, cycling and ecotourism. The apology from FKF is therefore notable, signalling just how deeply the current disruption has unsettled the established order at the forest.
Many visitors have taken to social media to express frustration over the halted services, particularly the suspension of membership renewals and event bookings.
For frequent users of the forest, annual passes for themselves and their pets are essential for easy access. Others, such as schools and corporate groups, depend on Karura for organised tours, team-building activities and nature education.
FKF’s acknowledgement of these frustrations has been interpreted by conservationists as a deliberate effort to preserve the goodwill it has built over more than two decades of stewardship.
Analysts note that by taking responsibility for the inconvenience and offering an apology, FKF is positioning itself as a transparent partner committed to both conservation and community service.
The dispute stems from a decision by KFS on August 29 to centralise all payments for Karura Forest through the government’s eCitizen platform. The move immediately cut FKF off from direct access to revenues used to run daily operations, including staff salaries, security and maintenance. FKF protested the decision, arguing that it violated the Karura Forest Management Plan (2021–2041), which mandates joint decision-making between the two entities.
The fallout was swift. Protests were staged at the forest’s main entrance as FKF staff claimed they had been denied access to their offices. The organisation warned that over 500 jobs and critical conservation activities were at risk if the system remained in place.
KFS, however, defended the directive, framing it as part of a wider government effort to streamline revenue collection and improve accountability. Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko went further, accusing FKF of financial mismanagement. He cited an internal audit that allegedly uncovered embezzlement, manipulation of revenue and failure to submit proper financial records.
FKF rejected the accusations, insisting that its accounts are independently audited each year and that the joint revenue account already included KFS signatories. The trust accused KFS of conducting the audit without their involvement and of targeting them unfairly.
The standoff has since moved to the courts. FKF has filed an urgent petition at the Milimani Environment and Land Court, challenging the eCitizen directive and seeking restoration of the previous joint management framework. The case is expected to be heard on September 22.
For now, however, the forest’s visitors are left in limbo. Services remain disrupted and while FKF has apologised for the inconvenience, the broader conflict shows little sign of resolution. Conservationists fear that if the dispute is not resolved swiftly, the progress achieved in turning Karura into one of the world’s most celebrated urban forests could be undermined.
As Nairobians wait for clarity, FKF’s apology remains a rare point of consensus in an otherwise bitter dispute, an acknowledgement that at the heart of the controversy are ordinary citizens who simply want to enjoy their forest.
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