Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of using the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to target Muthaiga Golf Club, amid a dispute over part of the course that the agency says falls within the gazetted Karura Forest.
Gachagua said members of Muthaiga Golf Club had contacted him after KFS officials moved onto part of the course, accusing the government of planning to take over the facility.
“Mr William Ruto, using the Kenya Forest Service, is planning to grab Muthaiga Golf Course,” Gachagua said, alleging that the President’s “appetite for land has now surpassed public land” and extended to private property.
Gachagua further accused Ruto of targeting the club despite its long history, noting that successive administrations had not interfered with Muthaiga Golf Club.
He also warned senior KFS officials whom he accused of being used to target the club, saying they would face action after the 2027 General Election.
“We shall do everything possible to stop you from grabbing Muthaiga Golf Club and other public and private land in the country,” he said.
Gachagua also claimed that other golf courses across the country were being targeted and assured golfers that he would oppose what he described as attempts to take over their land.
The former Deputy President's remarks come amid a dispute between KFS and Muthaiga Golf Club over the ownership and boundaries of a section of the course.
In a statement dated September 15, KFS said Karura Forest, covering approximately 1,044.1 hectares, was gazetted as a forest reserve in 1932 and later declared a Central Forest in 1964.
The agency said historical correspondence shows that land was surveyed and leased for the establishment of the golf club, with a plan showing the extent of the leased land issued in 1966.
KFS said the club's course boundary was later proposed to be extended northwards in 1974.
KFS said that after the enactment of the Forest Conservation and Management Act in 2007, Muthaiga Golf Club was invited to apply for a Forest Special Use Licence but did not do so.
The agency said the club later claimed to hold a title deed when invited for discussions in 2021.
According to KFS, it has no evidence proving the club's legal occupation of the disputed forest land and said the club's recent ownership claims could amount to the grabbing of public land by private interests.
The dispute escalated this week after KFS restricted access to the Front Nine, covering holes two to nine, which the agency says falls within Karura Forest. The club has said its board is working to resolve the matter.
Gachagua's allegations against President Ruto have not been independently established.
KFS, however, maintains that its position is based on historical records concerning the gazetted forest and has called for formal engagement with the golf club to address the dispute.
