A storm is brewing in Kenya over an alleged illegal land grab and forest development project in the Ngong Road Forest, with whistleblower and activist Albert Amenya making damning claims against powerful political figures. According to Amenya, the wife of a senior United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Member of Parliament is behind the controversial project, which involves the annexation and commercial repurposing of forest land—allegedly to construct hotels ahead of AFCON 2027, set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The allegations have sparked widespread condemnation from conservationists, civil society, and ordinary citizens, who see the move as a flagrant abuse of public resources and a threat to Kenya’s fragile ecosystem.
Forest Land for Profit?
According to Amenya, the forest development project is designed to exploit the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2027) as a justification for fast-tracked construction. The plan reportedly includes the building of luxury eco-hotels and camps aimed at accommodating international guests and football teams. However, Amenya insists that the process has been mired in secrecy, corruption, and disregard for the law.
“These people must be held accountable at some point. We cannot go on like this. It’s too much,” said Amenya, known for his vocal opposition to land injustices and government corruption.
The activist urged Kenyans to rise up and demand transparency and accountability, especially when public and protected lands are at risk of being converted into commercial assets for private gain.
Green Belt Movement Raises Alarm
The Green Belt Movement (GBM), Kenya’s renowned environmental watchdog founded by the late Nobel Laureate Prof. Wangari Maathai, has also entered the fray. GBM recently issued a scathing statement condemning the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) for what it described as a gross violation of environmental laws and procedures.
The movement disclosed that it had been tracking the approval process for hotel and eco-camp projects in the Ngong Road Forest, and discovered that proper public participation—a requirement under Article 10 of Kenya’s Constitution—was completely ignored. In a shocking twist, the developer failed to attend a public consultation meeting altogether.
GBM further revealed that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) consultant overseeing the project admitted that construction had already begun, despite the developer lacking the necessary licences from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
“This is a breach of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), which clearly outlines the need for environmental assessments and stakeholder engagement before any construction begins,” said a GBM spokesperson.
Misuse of Early Entry Permits
Even more concerning is what GBM describes as the abuse of Early Entry Permits by the Kenya Forest Service. These permits are intended to allow low-impact, temporary activities such as surveys and environmental evaluations. However, in this case, KFS allegedly used the permits to give the green light for large-scale development without conducting due diligence or obtaining full legal approvals.
“Alarmingly, it appears that KFS is exploiting provisions under Early Entry Permits, a mechanism intended strictly for low-impact, preliminary assessments, to greenlight large-scale development activities without adequate oversight or legal justification,” GBM warned in its statement.
This raises serious questions about the role of KFS in protecting Kenya’s forest ecosystems and whether the agency is instead facilitating the destruction of protected areas in favor of politically connected developers.
Lack of Transparency and Pending Legal Action
GBM also reported that it had requested formal information from KFS regarding the legal framework and environmental implications of the development project—but has yet to receive any response.
“As custodians of Kenya’s forests and heirs to the legacy of Prof. Wangari Maathai, the Green Belt Movement will not stand by as forests are sacrificed at the altar of private greed,” the statement continued. “We are now strongly considering legal action to halt this development and protect Ngong Road Forest from irreversible degradation.”
Legal experts argue that if GBM proceeds with a court petition, it could lead to an injunction halting construction until a full investigation is conducted. Given that the development has already broken environmental laws, there may be grounds to demand that any structures built so far be demolished and the forest restored.
Public Reaction and Political Fallout
News of the forest development scandal has sparked fierce debate on social media and mainstream platforms, with many Kenyans expressing frustration over what they see as impunity by the political elite.
“This is exactly why we must remain vigilant. First it was the Mau Forest, then the Aberdares, and now Ngong Road. Where does it end?” tweeted one activist. Others called on President William Ruto to take decisive action and reign in rogue officials within his own party.
The scandal also comes at a sensitive time as Kenya prepares to host AFCON 2027, a landmark event expected to boost the economy and improve infrastructure. However, critics argue that such progress should not come at the expense of environmental conservation and adherence to the law.
The Bigger Picture
The Ngong Road Forest controversy is emblematic of a broader problem facing Kenya: the tension between development and environmental sustainability. While the need for hotels, stadiums, and other AFCON-related infrastructure is legitimate, the process must be transparent, inclusive, and legally sound.
Experts warn that continued encroachment into forests could have long-term consequences, including loss of biodiversity, disruption of water catchment areas, and increased vulnerability to climate change.
Conclusion
The revelations surrounding the Ngong Road Forest development project point to a disturbing trend of backdoor dealings, institutional complicity, and environmental neglect. As more details emerge, the pressure is mounting on the government, the Kenya Forest Service, and the UDA leadership to come clean and take corrective action.
For now, all eyes are on the Green Belt Movement, whose promise of legal action may be the only hope in stopping the bulldozers and saving one of Nairobi’s last remaining natural green spaces.