The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has announced major infrastructural upgrades at its headquarters in Karura Forest aimed at improving the welfare of its frontline staff.
In a statement on Monday, August 25, the KFS announced the construction of 14 modern housing units for rangers, as well as a 3-kilometre tarmacked road network within the compound.
The service revealed that the new housing units were long overdue, as they replaced the dilapidated timber quarters which were no longer tenable.
According to the agency, the upgrades are part of a broader effort to improve working and living conditions for rangers, who play a crucial role in forest conservation and protection efforts.
“These projects are part of the Service's broader commitment to improving infrastructure and boosting the welfare of its staff,” KFS said in a statement.
The new road network, which is critical in enhancing security through movement, is, however, not yet complete, with KFS revealing that the final 200 metres leading to the rangers' quarters are scheduled for completion in September 2025.
While the developments have been welcomed within the Service and by its partners, they have also raised questions regarding the erection of infrastructure within forested areas.
Prior to the road upgrades, environmentalists expressed concerns that the road would come at the expense of precious trees.
The KFS has in the past faced criticism over controversial developments in forested areas like Mau and Ngong Forest, prompting the Service to recommit to transparency and sustainable forest management.
One of the more sensational cases of accountability came in May 2025, when the Green Belt Movement raised an alarm over reports of a luxurious hotel being built inside Ngong Road Forest, calling for an immediate investigation into its legality and environmental impact.
In a statement on Friday, May 16, KFS clarified that the camp, which comprises tents on semi-permanent infrastructure, was an approved development under the Ngong Road Forest Management Plan.
According to the Forest Service, a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was prepared before the licence for the establishment of the camp was issued.
Similarly, KFS revealed that a public engagement was conducted jointly with the Community Forest Association, garnering the endorsement of the relevant stakeholders.
