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Pragmatism must inform decisions on looming Ngong forest excision

Africa News News African October 30, 2026 · Comments off

In 2020, then Environment Cabinet Secretary (CS) Keriako Tobiko rattled Kenyans by declaring intentions to revert land on which stood some Lang’ata residential estates to forest. He dismissed assertions from the affected that they held ownership documents.

The Daily Nation captured the graphic details in the June 26, 2020 edition under the head “800 homes to come down as Tobiko targets Ngong Forest land grabbers”.

The CS spoke of intentions to connect the forest to the Nairobi National Park. He was quoted saying, “Once we have reclaimed the land, we shall fence it off using wildlife proof material. We will create a corridor that will open the entire area for wildlife”.

The residential estates targeted included Sun Valley, KMA, Lang’ata Gardens, Lang’ata View, Royal Park, Shalom and Forest Edge View. St Mary’s Hospital, along with some public institutions, were also said to stand on the targeted land.

I visited the zone on one of the afternoons for a visual feel. I was amazed at the extent and state of the physical developments. The target estates are extensive and pristine, complete with paved access roads, water and power. Commercial enterprises thrive there, too.

As I drove back, my thought process was fast. “Something doesn’t add up here, and the government may not deliver on its threat to evict and demolish,” I reflected.

Subsequently, public debate intensified, and the targeted residents petitioned Parliament. The matter got protracted and gradually cooled off. We moved on. But I’ve bumped into it anew. Apparently, Parliament threw the matter back to the Ministry and the petitioners.

Some July 2026 correspondence from the State Department of Forestry, citing previous proceedings of the National Assembly, advised the affected residents on the next steps. That the procedure for variation of forest boundaries provided for in the Forest Conservation and Management Act requires the affected to present a formal petition to Parliament clearly identifying the forest area to which a boundary variation is required, accompanied by an environmental impact assessment report,.

In keeping with the advice, a public participation forum was organised in Lang’ata mid-October. It endorsed a variation of the boundary of Ngong forest to accommodate the affected developments. This will, if approved by Parliament, inform the degazettement of 34 acres of this forest. The issue remains a moot, given Kenya’s quest for conservation.

Regardless, these estates have been part of Nairobi’s residential ecosystem for decades and will not be wished away. Pragmatism should inform subsequent decisions by the State and Parliament. However, State officials responsible for the commissions and omissions leading to this dilemma stand strongly indicted, and should face commensurate sanctions. This will set a good precedent.

The writer is a licensed surveyor and a consultant on land governance

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