Friends of Karura Forest sue KFS over mandatory eCitizen payments

Friends of Karura Forest have filed a petition at the Environment and Land Court in Nairobi challenging a directive by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) requiring all Karura Forest entry fees to be paid exclusively through the eCitizen platform.

The petition, filed at the Milimani Environment and Land Court, was heard on Tuesday before Justice A. Omollo, who certified the matter as urgent.

The court directed that the application be heard inter-partes on September 22, 2025, and ordered the respondents to file their responses within 14 days of service.

“Take notice that any disobedience or non-observance of the order of the court served herewith will result in penal consequences to you and any other person(s) disobeying and not observing the same,” Justice Omollo said.

The petitioners, Friends of Karura Forest, a Community Forest Association, argue that the move undermines their 20-year joint management agreement with KFS and risks the forest’s future.

“We are growing increasingly concerned about what will happen to Karura going forward as there is no clear path for how it is being managed,” former FKF chair and board member Professor Karanja Njoroge said.

“We are also shocked by the entrance fee increase, which could stop Kenyans from enjoying one of the largest urban forests in the world.”

According to FKF, the adult entry fee has risen from Sh100 to Sh174, while children’s fees have more than doubled from Sh50 to Sh116 due to the addition of a Sh50 platform charge and 16 per cent VAT under the eCitizen system.

They further warned that the abrupt transition has caused uncertainty for more than 500 workers, including 122 scouts and about 400 women from local communities who supported forest operations and were paid through the joint revenue system.

“The jointly managed funds were used for security, general operations, and infrastructure management, including maintaining the electric fence, forest access logistics and forest ecosystem regeneration. Implementation contracts are in the name of the Friends of Karura Forest CFA, making it contractually liable for the obligations,” FKF said.

Prof. Njoroge urged the government to reinstate the joint management model.

“We need to urgently get Friends of Karura in again to jointly manage the forest day-to-day operations and work with local communities,” he said.

He also invoked the legacy of the late Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai, who was instrumental in protecting Karura.

“Our Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai saved this forest for the people of Kenya, and the Friends of Karura and many other dedicated Kenyans helped transform it from a no-go zone into the green paradise we see today. We owe it to them and the 70,000 visitors who come every month to make sure the forest is run smoothly and safely for the benefit of all,” he said.

On its part, KFS defended the changes, saying the adjustments were necessary to comply with government accounting procedures.

Other Topics To Read

• City Affairs
• eCitizen
• Kenya Forest Service
• Karura Forest fees
• Friends of Karura Forest
• Friends of Karura Forest Association
• Friends of Karura Forest sue KFS over mandatory eCitizen payments
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Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko explained that the extra charges are tied to VAT and a convenience fee imposed on eCitizen transactions.

“Because it’s a government accounting process, VAT has to be paid. That is one. Two, for eCitizen, we have a convenience fee per transaction, not per person. So if 20 people came as a group and they wanted to pay, they would pay once. That means the Sh50 fee applies to the whole group, not per head,” Lemarkoko said during an interview with Spice FM.

He added that solo visitors will now pay Sh166 each, while groups benefit from the shared Sh50 transaction fee, making collective visits more affordable.

KFS maintained that the revenue collected will go towards conservation, maintenance and security within Karura, assuring the public that the changes will strengthen the forest’s role as a safe and sustainable green space in Nairobi.

Despite the assurances, FKF insists the new system has already led to reduced visitor numbers and heightened risks to the forest’s management and community livelihood programmes.

The matter will be heard in court on September 22, 2025.