NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 25 – Friends of Karura Forest has welcomed a court order stopping construction at Rangers Village inside Karura Forest, terming it a major win for conservation efforts.
The lobby, alongside Green Belt Movement, moved to court after plans emerged to house National Youth Service personnel in container-based barracks within the forest.
Environmental groups had raised alarm over tree cutting and land clearance at the site, which had been cordoned off from the public.
Following a site visit attended by stakeholders, the court ordered an immediate halt to construction pending further directions.
Friends of Karura board member Karanja Njoroge welcomed the decision.
“We warmly welcome the court order which is a significant step forward. We hope this decision will be made permanent at the next court hearing,” he said.
He added that the group is keen on restoring the area through reforestation and co-management efforts.
The development comes after the government indicated it had dropped plans to set up the NYS facility, although no formal communication had been issued.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has since assured the public that the forest will be protected, stating that “nobody is going to touch Karura forest.”
The Karura Forest Management Plan предусматриes relocation of rangers currently living at the site, with the land earmarked for restoration into indigenous forest.
