In the hush of morning light, where waterfalls murmur lullabies and the trees sway to the wind’s tender rhythm, Karura Forest cradles its visitors in a gentle, leafy embrace. Lovers trade laughter beneath arching canopies, children chase butterflies along fern-lined trails, and city dwellers come to lose their physical and soul burdens in nature’s balm.

But beneath the forest’s serene facade, a quiet storm brews – one not of weather, but of millions in cash that flow through its gates each day. And now, Karura Forest stands at a crossroads: a sacred haven caught between whispers of love and serenity, and the roar of competing interests.

Once a battleground for environmental defenders and land grabbers, Karura has long symbolized resistance, healing, and rebirth. Today, its struggle has taken a quieter, more complex form—less visible, yet no less urgent.

At the center of this quiet tug-of-war are two powerful custodians: The Kenya Forest Service (KFS), the government agency mandated to protect the country’s forests, and the Friends of Karura Forest (FKF), a community-based organization credited with transforming Karura into the urban sanctuary it is today.

While KFS holds legal ownership, FKF has, for years, managed the day-to-day operations, maintaining trails, organizing conservation activities, and ensuring the forest remains accessible and safe. But as visitor numbers soar and revenue streams deepen, questions have surfaced about the roles, responsibilities, and revenue-sharing arrangements between the two.

The partnership between FKF and KFS was once hailed as a model for public–private collaboration in forest conservation. Born in the aftermath of a hard-won battle against land grabbers in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the alliance gave new life to Karura. FKF, under the guidance of the late Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai and a coalition of concerned citizens, stepped in to restore, protect, and promote the forest when government resources were stretched thin.

For over a decade, the arrangement thrived, anchored in shared goals of preservation and public access. But as Karura’s popularity surged, so did the stakes. With an estimated KSh 200,000 to KSh 400,000 collected daily at the gates, the scent of money has become irresistible to the Government, which now wants full control of the gate collections.

Tension arose recently after Environment Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa signaled the Government’s intentions to edge out FKF and hand over control of the collections to KFS, perhaps lured by the tantalizing KES 245 million the forest generates annually in gate fees. This move threatens to plunge the quiet sanctuary into a high-stakes turf war.

On their side, FKF says they are not ceding a cent. After all, they have turned a crime-ridden forest into a thriving green oasis and are determined to keep it that way!

In a candid conversation with Big3Africa, FKF Chairperson Prof. Karanja Njoroge didn’t mince words when he accused the government of trying to reap the rewards of years of hard work without lifting a finger.

“This forest was once a notorious crime hotspot – muggings, murders, rapes, you name it! Nobody dared to set foot here. But since 2010, we have turned it around. Karura is now the green heart of Nairobi,” Prof. Karanja says.

He emphasized that the progress achieved has come at a significant cost, fueled by unwavering commitment: “I fear that KFS might undo all of this,” he warned. “They seem more interested in the money than in recognizing the monumental effort that has gone into this transformation.”

When it comes to accountability, Prof. Karanja was quick to clarify that FKF operates with transparency: “We have a joint bank account with KFS, approved by the Treasury,” he explained. “The funds are dedicated to protecting the forest, improving access for local communities, restoring the ecosystem, and creating jobs for those living nearby.”

He also pointed out that FKF board members are volunteers, not on the payroll: “We have 135 salaried staff and another 300 casual workers, primarily from nearby informal settlements, who help maintain the forest. We allocate KES 1.5 to KES 2 million every month just for their wages,” he added, showcasing the organization’s commitment to both the environment and the community.

Thanks to these efforts, the forest now attracts 50,000 to 55,000 visitors in a good month, each paying KES 100 for activities like nature walks, biking, and running: “That is how we reach an annual collection of around Sh225 to Sh245 million annually,” says Prof. Karanja.

And they’re not backing down. FKF plans to take legal action to block the Ministry from taking over Karura’s management.

FKF was established in 2009 under the Forest Act of 2005 as a Community Forest Association (CFA) to support KFS in conserving Karura Forest. The group entered a Joint Forest Management Agreement with KFS, making them equal partners in managing the forest.

The agreement outlines responsibilities like installing security infrastructure, restoring the forest, promoting conservation education and recreation, and sharing financial accountability.

Karura Forest covers 2,570 acres and is divided into three areas separated by Limuru and Kiambu roads. Thanks to the replacement of exotic trees with native species, the forest is now home to over 260 bird species and a wide range of wildlife, from monkeys, antelope, and bush pigs to butterflies and bats.

As the forest dwellers whisper through time, washing over the weary souls of those who gather daily to marvel at nature’s quiet magic, one truth flows beneath the beauty: Karura’s future teeters on the edge—its fate entangled in the silent grip of money.