The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has revealed the contractor behind a contentious eco-lodge development in Ngong Road Forest, exposing fresh details that have raised alarm among environmentalists and the public.
During a public forum held at the Ngong Road Sanctuary on Tuesday, KFS disclosed that Konyon Company Ltd was awarded the tender to construct 11 luxury cottages within the forest. However, investigations by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) paint a different picture.
According to NEMA, the project never received an official Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) license. The assessment was instead conducted by a private consultant hired by Konyon Company. NEMA noted the absence of public participation and questioned why construction had already begun despite the lack of approval.
Even more startling was NEMA’s revelation that the initial plan involved 20 cottages, not the 11 reported by KFS. The proposed structures included luxury tented units, a restaurant, yoga deck, wellness center with spa facilities, and multiple concrete buildings, including kitchens and staff quarters—despite claims that the facility would be built using eco-friendly, degradable materials.
The consultant reportedly advised the contractor to scale down the development to 10 cottages to reduce the environmental impact. Still, concerns remain about the concrete structures already erected, which contradict the project’s “eco-lodge” label.
In a surprising twist, KFS also took aim at the Green Belt Movement (GBM), revealing that a related entity, Greenkids Museum Kenya Limited, had submitted a previous application in 2020 to establish a children’s museum on the same eight-acre site. That application was allegedly denied due to non-payment of the required fees.
Ironically, it was the Green Belt Movement that sounded the alarm on the current project, prompting public outrage and forcing KFS to suspend construction pending further consultation.
As investigations continue, the controversy underscores the need for transparency, public participation, and adherence to environmental regulations when managing Kenya’s vital forest reserves.
