The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has raised concerns over Muthaiga Golf Club’s occupation of part of Karura Forest, saying it has no records to show that the club legally owns the land.
KFS says Karura Forest, which covers about 1,044.1 hectares, was gazetted as a forest reserve in 1932 and later declared a Central Forest in 1964.
The agency adds that the golf club was allowed to develop the area after the land was surveyed and leased in the 1960s and records show construction of the golf course began after a plan of the leased area was issued in 1966.
In 2007, after the Forest Conservation and Management Act came into force, the club was asked to apply for a Forest Special Use Licence but KFS says the application was not honoured.
The issue came up again in 2021 when the club was invited for talks over its occupation of the forest. During the meeting, the club claimed to have a title deed.
KFS says it has not found any records proving that the club legally owns or occupies the forest land.
«“There is no evidence of record to the effect proving legal occupation of the forest by the Club,” KFS said.»
The agency said the club had previously acknowledged in correspondence that it was occupying gazetted forest land.
KFS is now asking the club to engage with the service and address the matter under the Forest Conservation and Management Act.
