KFS allays fears of job losses, assures normal operations at Karura Forest
The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has reported that some employees of the Community Forest Association (CFA) are yet to resume duty at Karura Forest despite repeated calls to return to work.
According to a statement released on Thursday, September 4, 2025, the agency confirmed that the workers had failed to return even as operations at the forest continue smoothly.
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“Operations at Karura Forest have been ongoing as normal, and visitors have continued streaming into this urban forest for recreational activities. Kenya Forest Service, in partnership with employees of the Community Forest Association, is continuing to offer normal services to all visitors. The CFA staff who are working in collaboration with the Service include Clerks, Scouts, Tree and nursery attendants and general maintenance staff,” the statement read in part.
Adding;
“However, despite efforts to continue working cordially with employees of the CFA, some of the employees have opted not to report back to work, despite several calls to do so.”
KFS emphasised that essential services remain intact and that security operations within the forest are ongoing, with routine patrols both inside and along the perimeter electric fence to safeguard the natural resource.
The Service further indicated that all financial obligations captured in the 2025/2026 annual work plan will be met.
“The Service has also endeavoured to reassure all employees of the CFA of the continuity of their jobs, and the Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr Alex Lemarkoko, has reassured all that there will be no job losses,” KFS added.
The Service said its long-term vision is to strengthen the ecotourism potential of urban forests.
“KFS is committed to developing the ecotourism potential of various urban forests to ensure city dwellers enjoy serene green spaces and calls upon all partners to support the Service towards this endeavour,” it stated.
The announcement comes a day after Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko made strong remarks against the Friends of Karura Forest (FKF).
In an interview on Wednesday, September 3, he disclosed that a Ministry of Environment-commissioned audit had revealed irregularities in FKF’s finances.
“You will be shocked at the kind of embezzlement of funds by FKF,” Lemarkoko said.
He also accused FKF of breaching procedures by failing to submit budgets and work plans for KFS approval, as required under their joint management agreement.
On allegations raised by FKF about land grabs and road constructions in the forest, Lemarkoko dismissed the claims as misleading. He further defended the shift of Karura’s payments to the government’s eCitizen platform, saying the change was aimed at transparency and efficiency.
“The only change is the payment platform itself; all other aspects of forest management will remain the same,” he emphasised.
Since late August 2025, visitors to Karura Forest have been required to pay entry and parking fees through the eCitizen PayBill number 222222, following a directive from the National Treasury.
The move has, however, been challenged by FKF, which on September 1 filed a petition in the Environment and Land Court seeking to block the transition. The organisation argues that the shift violates the joint management agreement and threatens the livelihood of more than 122 staff and 300 community members who rely on forest revenues. The petition also raises questions about accountability in the eCitizen system. A hearing is scheduled for September 22, 2025.
Kenya’s eCitizen portal is the government’s centralised payment platform, designed to enhance transparency and efficiency. It allows payments via phone or card, typically processed within a minute, and by early 2025, it had integrated more than 22,000 services from over 100 state agencies.
