The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has dismissed allegations that the construction works inside Ngong Road Forest in Nairobi are illegal.

In a brief statement on Tuesday, February 25, the forest service clarified that the ongoing works by Kenya Railways Corporation inside the forest were official.

According to KFS, Kenya Railways had already submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, which was used to evaluate the project's significant effects on the forest ecosystem.

KFS also revealed that it received other crucial documents such as the public participation report and design report that were also used to grant Kenya Railways access to the forest land.

Officers outside the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) gate when it was opened in 2011

KFS

"Kenya Forest Service wishes to confirm that the ongoing works by Kenya Railways Corporation at Ngong Road Forest are official," KFS announced.

"The Service has received an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, a public participation report, and a design report, and these documents will inform the issuance of a special use licence."

However, KFS noted that once the railway works are completed, it will proceed to rehabilitate the 5.2 acres to ensure the recovery of biodiversity. Similarly, the affected forest infrastructure will also be replaced.

KFS was forced to address the matter after a section of Kenyans expressed concerns over the alleged encroachment of forest land by unknown individuals, with some accusing the service of permitting illegal activities inside the forest.

Meanwhile, the commencement of the railway project inside Ngong Road Forest comes months after the Corporation submitted a proposal for the construction of a 12.5-kilometre metre gauge railway through the forest land.

The railway line will traverse Ngong Road Forest, occupying approximately 1km of forest land before exiting to the Southern Bypass in Riruta, Dagoretti Sub-County.

The proposal for the construction of the railway line was also submitted to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) for assessment and subsequent approval.

Following the submission of the proposal, the assessment results indicated that the railway project would lead to biodiversity loss, traffic disruption, water pollution, and soil erosion.

Ngong Forest as seen along Karen Road in Nairobi in this photo taken on January 22, 2020.

Daily Nation

Jeff Angote