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Brian Kimani
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File image of the Karura Forest's Kiambu Road entrance.
The Friends of Karura Forest (FKF), the community trust that has co-managed the forest for over a decade, has moved to the Environment and Land Court to challenge the decision by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to make all entry and parking payments to be paid exclusively through the governmentβs eCitizen platform.
In the petition filed before Lady Justice A. Omollo on Monday, September 1, the community sought urgent conservatory orders to stop the migration of revenue collection to the eCitizen platform.
They argued that the decision violated a legally binding joint management agreement under the Karura Forest Management Plan (2021β2041).
The agreement, signed pursuant to the Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016, provided for shared operational responsibilities and revenue collection through a joint bank account to fund staff salaries, conservation projects, and maintenance.
Effecting the eCitizen move, FKF warned, would threaten the livelihoods of over 122 staff and 300 community members who rely on forest activities for income.
βThe abrupt disruption of the revenue collection mandate, without consultation or fiscal substitution, undermines this constitutional obligation," read part of the petition.
"Centralizing its revenue without a clear legal mechanism for disbursement threatens the sustainability of this model and undermines the operational autonomy that has made Karura a national conservation success story."
The application also raised concerns about accountability in the eCitizen system, citing delays in remittances, lack of reconciliation mechanisms, and absence of a legal framework for revenue sharing as flagged by the Auditor General.
The Community sought orders to reinstate the joint revenue system, prohibit the government from enforcing payment changes without stakeholder engagement and declare the eCitizen directive as unconstitutional.
Upon reviewing the petition, Lady Justice Omollo certified the matter as urgent and scheduled it for a hearing on September 22, 2025. The judge further directed the Ministry of Environment and KFS to file their responses within 14 days.
The announcement by KFA on August 28, 2025, took effect immediately but was opposed by Friends of Karura, who warned that the Trust would be left without funds to pay staff salaries, service providers and contractors.
"We expect this unilateral decision by KFS to severely disrupt all forest operations,β FKF said. βWe apologize for any inconvenience to our visitors and encourage inquiries or complaints to be directed to KFS," FKF said in a statement.
Following the uproar, Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko reassured the public that the new payment platform would not affect the institutional arrangement between the Service and FKF.
He noted that all staff, including scouts, clerks, cleaners, and contract workers, will be retained, adding that visitors with annual passes will also continue to use them until expiry.
βThe new payment platform will not affect the institutional arrangement between the Service and the Community Forest Association. The only change is the payment platform itself; all other aspects of forest management will remain the same," Lemarkoko said.
KFS's shift to eCitizen is part of a wider government initiative to enhance transparency, efficiency, and security in public services.
Β©Citizen Digital, Kenya
Continue reading...
In the petition filed before Lady Justice A. Omollo on Monday, September 1, the community sought urgent conservatory orders to stop the migration of revenue collection to the eCitizen platform.
They argued that the decision violated a legally binding joint management agreement under the Karura Forest Management Plan (2021β2041).
File image of the Karura Forest's Kiambu Road entrance.
The Friends of Karura Forest (FKF), the community trust that has co-managed the forest for over a decade, has moved to the Environment and Land Court to challenge the decision by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to make all entry and parking payments to be paid exclusively through the governmentβs eCitizen platform.
In the petition filed before Lady Justice A. Omollo on Monday, September 1, the community sought urgent conservatory orders to stop the migration of revenue collection to the eCitizen platform.
They argued that the decision violated a legally binding joint management agreement under the Karura Forest Management Plan (2021β2041).
The agreement, signed pursuant to the Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016, provided for shared operational responsibilities and revenue collection through a joint bank account to fund staff salaries, conservation projects, and maintenance.
Effecting the eCitizen move, FKF warned, would threaten the livelihoods of over 122 staff and 300 community members who rely on forest activities for income.
βThe abrupt disruption of the revenue collection mandate, without consultation or fiscal substitution, undermines this constitutional obligation," read part of the petition.
"Centralizing its revenue without a clear legal mechanism for disbursement threatens the sustainability of this model and undermines the operational autonomy that has made Karura a national conservation success story."
The application also raised concerns about accountability in the eCitizen system, citing delays in remittances, lack of reconciliation mechanisms, and absence of a legal framework for revenue sharing as flagged by the Auditor General.
The Community sought orders to reinstate the joint revenue system, prohibit the government from enforcing payment changes without stakeholder engagement and declare the eCitizen directive as unconstitutional.
Upon reviewing the petition, Lady Justice Omollo certified the matter as urgent and scheduled it for a hearing on September 22, 2025. The judge further directed the Ministry of Environment and KFS to file their responses within 14 days.
The announcement by KFA on August 28, 2025, took effect immediately but was opposed by Friends of Karura, who warned that the Trust would be left without funds to pay staff salaries, service providers and contractors.
"We expect this unilateral decision by KFS to severely disrupt all forest operations,β FKF said. βWe apologize for any inconvenience to our visitors and encourage inquiries or complaints to be directed to KFS," FKF said in a statement.
Following the uproar, Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko reassured the public that the new payment platform would not affect the institutional arrangement between the Service and FKF.
He noted that all staff, including scouts, clerks, cleaners, and contract workers, will be retained, adding that visitors with annual passes will also continue to use them until expiry.
βThe new payment platform will not affect the institutional arrangement between the Service and the Community Forest Association. The only change is the payment platform itself; all other aspects of forest management will remain the same," Lemarkoko said.
KFS's shift to eCitizen is part of a wider government initiative to enhance transparency, efficiency, and security in public services.
Β©Citizen Digital, Kenya
Continue reading...
