Lobby group threatens legal action over unlicensed hotel project in Ngong Road Forest

Parts of the eco-hotel being constructed in Ngong Forest near the sanctuary block in Nairobi County. [File Courtesy] A hotel project in Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary is at the centre of an environmental storm after the Green Belt Movement accused developers of starting construction without a licence and ignoring public consultation. The group said Konyon Company Ltd., which is behind the project, failed to attend a stakeholder meeting convened by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) on Tuesday, May 27, raising concerns about transparency and accountability. "The developer who is legally required to organise public consultations did not even show up," said the Green Belt Movement in a statement. The organisation added that the Environmental Impact Assessment consultant admitted during the meeting that construction had already begun before obtaining approval from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). "This project began without any form of licensing, which makes it illegitimate and environmentally irresponsible," said the group. The development, presented as an eco-tourism venture, includes 11 luxury cottages, two restaurants and other commercial amenities. Green Belt Movement said this plan would result in the privatisation of public forest land under the guise of conservation. The group also accused KFS of exploiting early entry permits-meant only for low-impact assessments-to push through large-scale development. The move comes days after Environment Cabinet Secretary Dr Deborah Mulongo suspended the construction of an eco-hotel in Ngong Forest next to the sanctuary in Nairobi. The CS also warned of disciplinary action against Kenya Forest Service officials who approved the construction of the hotel inside the forest. "We have heard that some people are cutting down the trees in the Ngong Forest to construct hotels. We are against it, and it should be suspended immediately," said Mulongo. She added, "Those KFS officers who approved the project should know that we shall face disciplinary measures, even suspension. We will not allow such a thing to continue because their work is to protect and safeguard trees." Mulongo maintained that her sole responsibility was to grow and protect more trees to save the country, wild animals and the environment. According to the Green Belt Movement, its letter to KFS dated Thursday, May 15, seeking information on the project's legality and ecological impact has gone unanswered. "We are the heirs to Prof. Wangari Maathai's legacy and we will not allow Kenya's forests to be sacrificed at the altar of private greed," noted the group. It said it is now considering legal action and urged the public, legal institutions and environmental defenders to resist the project. "Our forests are not commodities," said the statement.

Lobby group threatens legal action over unlicensed hotel project in Ngong Road Forest

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Lobby group threatens legal action over unlicensed hotel project in Ngong Road Forest

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