Activist Boniface Mwangi has accused the government of mismanaging Karura Forest. He says fee hikes and job cuts have pushed people away from one of Nairobi’s most popular green spaces.
Mwangi’s Concerns
In a post on X on Sunday, September 14, 2025, Mwangi claimed Karura used to attract about 70,000 visitors every month. He now believes the forest is deserted.
According to him, three key changes caused the decline:
- Higher gate charges
- Dismissal of over 300 community caretakers
- Shifting revenue collection from the Karura Community Forest Association (CFA) to the government
“The regime seized the forest, raised gate prices, and fired 300 community caretakers, and now Karura is empty,” Mwangi wrote.
His remarks followed a viral video showing empty trails during a sunny weekend. The person who shared the video questioned if people had boycotted Karura.
KFS Responds
The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has rejected Mwangi’s claims. In a statement titled Karura Forest: A Safe Haven for Posterity, the agency said Karura is safe, open, and still jointly managed with the CFA.
KFS also explained that the move to eCitizen for fee collection was not unique to Karura. It was part of a government directive issued under Gazette Notice No. 16008 of 2022. The change requires all revenues from national government entities to be collected through the platform.
The agency reassured Kenyans that Karura remains open daily from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm. It urged the public to disregard what it called misleading claims in online petitions.
The Debate Continues
For Mwangi, the changes have hurt community involvement and visitor numbers. For KFS, the forest remains secure and accessible. The standoff leaves Nairobi residents watching closely, as Karura has long been a symbol of conservation and recreation in the city.
