Uproar Over Luxurious Hotel Being Built Inside Ngong Forest

The Green Belt Movement (GBM) has raised an alarm over the construction of a luxurious hotel inside the Ngong Forest.

In a letter dated May 15 and addressed to Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Chief Executive Officer Alexander Lemarkoko, GBM highlighted the dangers of encroaching on forests, emphasizing their vital role as water catchment areas and natural habitats.

“The Green Belt Movement (GBM) writes to express our deep concern and seek immediate clarification regarding reports of an ongoing construction of a luxury hotel within the Ngong Road Forest, adjacent to the sanctuary.

“As you are aware, Ngong Road Forest is a critical ecological and biodiversity resource in Nairobi. It provides essential ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, air purification, water catchment protection, and serves as an important recreational and educational green space for the city’s residents. It is also home to diverse flora and fauna, some of which are endangered,” the letter read in part.

The movement noted that it had received information indicating that construction of a hotel inside the forest was underway.

GBM emphasized that the construction of the hotel raises serious environmental, legal, and ethical concerns

“It has come to our attention that a private developer has begun construction within this forest area. This development, if confirmed, raises serious environmental, legal, and ethical concerns,” the organization stated.

GBM demanded that KFS disclose the identity of the developer undertaking construction within the Ngong Road Forest and a detailed outline of the process through which the developer was granted access to carry out any form of construction within a protected forest area.

Further, the movement demanded a copy of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report and license as issued by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) regarding the project.