The Friends of Karura Community Forest Association has filed a petition in the Environment and Land Court seeking to stop the government from collecting Karura Forest entry fees through the e-Citizen platform. The association argues that the move to increase access fees and centralize payments on e-Citizen was done without public participation, making it unconstitutional and unlawful.
In its petition, the association has sued the Attorney General, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Forestry and Climate Change, the Cabinet Secretary for Treasury and Economic Planning, and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). It claims that the takeover of revenue management and removal of funds from the existing joint account undermine the Forest Conservation and Management Act, as well as existing forest rules.
The petitioners also contest the introduction of a Ksh50 “transaction fee” on top of regular access charges, terming it unconstitutional and null. They maintain that the abrupt implementation of new fee structures, without consultation or regulatory justification, negatively affects public access, conservation programs, and community livelihoods.
The association further seeks a court declaration affirming that the Forest Management Agreement between itself and KFS, covering the years 2021 to 2041, remains lawful and valid. They argue that this agreement cannot be arbitrarily revoked or varied without due legal process, especially in ways that deprive the community of funds critical for conservation efforts.
Through a certificate of urgency, the association is asking the court to issue conservatory orders halting the implementation of increased fees until the case is fully heard and determined. Specifically, they want the court to prohibit government agencies from channeling forest access fees through e-Citizen and to restore the previous system of management and conservation as it was before August 28, 2025.
The association argues that these measures are necessary to protect the rights of the community, ensure accountability, and safeguard the forest’s conservation programs from financial disruption. The petition emphasizes that Karura Forest is a vital public resource whose management should prioritize transparency, inclusivity, and environmental sustainability rather than unilateral government directives.
If successful, the court orders would temporarily stop the government from enforcing the fee increases and e-Citizen payment directive, pending a final decision on the matter.
