NAIROBI, —A luxury eco-lodge rising within Nairobi’s Ngong Forest has sparked fresh controversy, as the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) revealed the contractor behind the project amid questions over environmental approval and the scale of construction.
At a public forum held Tuesday at the Ngong Road Sanctuary, KFS identified Konyon Company Ltd as the firm awarded the tender to build 11 cottages inside the forest reserve. Yet, conflicting reports from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) paint a different picture.
According to NEMA, no official licence has been granted for the development. The agency noted that the initial Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was conducted by a private consultant hired by the contractor, not an independent or government body. More troublingly, NEMA said the developer proceeded without the mandatory public participation process.
“The absence of public consultation is a serious oversight,” a NEMA spokesperson said. “We must understand why construction went ahead without our approval.”
Further discrepancies have emerged over the number of cottages planned. While KFS reported 11 units, NEMA’s documents reveal plans for 20 luxury tented cottages made of canvas and stone, alongside a host of amenities: a reception tent, recreational and dining areas, a hexadome restaurant, yoga deck, wellness centre with sauna and massage facilities, and staff quarters.
The project also includes a sizeable kitchen, storage facilities, a security post, and an electric room.
The consultant responsible for the EIA reportedly advised scaling down the project from 20 cottages to 10 to reduce environmental impact. Yet, the construction has advanced beyond that scope.
Concerns also centre on the use of materials. The NEMA report specified that the eco-lodge should be built from biodegradable materials to protect the forest’s fragile ecosystem. However, concrete structures have already been erected on site.
“This goes against the very principles of eco-tourism and sustainability,” said Dr Jane Wambui, an environmental expert. “Building permanent concrete structures in a forest reserve is reckless.”
The construction came to light after the Green Belt Movement raised alarms over unauthorised activity in the sanctuary, prompting KFS to suspend work pending further consultations.
KFS Director-General Richard Kiprono said in a statement, “We have halted all construction to assess compliance with environmental regulations. We are committed to protecting Ngong Forest, which is a vital green lung for Nairobi.”
Local residents have voiced mixed reactions. Some welcome eco-tourism as a source of jobs and development, while others fear irreversible damage to the forest’s biodiversity.
“It’s a delicate balance,” said Margaret Njuguna, a community leader. “We want progress, but not at the cost of our environment.”
As the dispute unfolds, the key questions remain: How did the project proceed without full approval? And can Nairobi’s Ngong Forest be preserved in the face of increasing development pressures?
The answers will shape not only the fate of the forest but also Kenya’s broader commitment to sustainable conservation.
