The Oloolua Forest
Oloolua Forest is an important wildlife refuge and biodiversity hotspot.
Considered as a lung for Nairobi, the forest covers 618 hectares and is home to significant acreage of indigenous trees. The forest is part of the larger Ngong Forest block which also comprises Ngong Hills and Kibiko Forest blocks.
Considered as a lung for Nairobi, the forest covers 618 hectares and is home to significant acreage of indigenous trees. The forest is part of the larger Ngong Forest block which also comprises Ngong Hills and Kibiko Forest blocks.
WILDLIFE REFUGEEWithin an ever increasing urban environment, the forest provides a safe heaven for a number of mammal species, birds, indigenous flora and fauna...
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BIODIVERSITYThe forest, a biodiversity hotspot is home to large numbers of indigenous trees, birds and small wildlife.
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'Let Us Come Together & Protect Oloolua Forest'
CALL TO ACTION
The Oloolua Forest straddles the border of Nairobi and Kajiado counties, roughly in the Karen and Ongata Rogai suburbs. The forest, originally two blocks of over 600 hectares, has been subjected to intensive fragmentation due to infrastructure development.
This has resulted in an eight block open access forest which is now severely under threat from all fronts.
This has resulted in an eight block open access forest which is now severely under threat from all fronts.
The Institute of Primate Research
(under the National Museums of Kenya) and a radioactive waste processing facility are two government institutions that have title deeds to portions of the forest.
However, in early 2024, it came to the public’s attention that a section of the forest had been allocated to an NGO called Child Welfare Society of Kenya.
Initial public protests over Easter 2024 shed light on this issue, leading to the CS of Environment leading a government delegation to visit the forest, following which pronouncements were made that irregularly issued private titles to public forest land would be revoked, and that government institution's titles would be replaced with user licenses.
(under the National Museums of Kenya) and a radioactive waste processing facility are two government institutions that have title deeds to portions of the forest.
However, in early 2024, it came to the public’s attention that a section of the forest had been allocated to an NGO called Child Welfare Society of Kenya.
Initial public protests over Easter 2024 shed light on this issue, leading to the CS of Environment leading a government delegation to visit the forest, following which pronouncements were made that irregularly issued private titles to public forest land would be revoked, and that government institution's titles would be replaced with user licenses.
Friends of Oloolua Forest (FoOF) and Public Interest Litigation and Advocacy for the Environment (PILAE) have partnered to address this matter through the courts, seeing this as a permanent way of addressing this forest land grab. Investigations by the legal team, represented by Acorn Law, revealed the mother title held by Child Welfare Society had been subdivided and land allocated to 41 individuals and companies.
As a result of this revelation, in July 2024, four cases were filed at the Environment and Land Court at Nairobi to challenge these titles and have them reverted back to the public, under the custody of Kenya Forest Service, and to prevent any development of the land.
A fifth case has also been filed at the same court to challenge the titles held by the government agencies, with the same prayers sought as the other four cases. Additionally, the Fifth case also stops the Nuclear Regulatory Authority from ferrying and delivering nuclear and radioactive or other hazardous material into Oloolua Forest and storing such waste on the property pending hearing and determination of the suit.
CALL TO ACTION!
FoOF urgently calls for your help to PROTECT this forest.
FoOF needs to RAISE FUNDS to assist with litigation, advocacy, implementation of the management plan in order to protect the Oloolua Forest, to save an important, valuable forest in the city, an essential forest and a public green space in the ever burgeoning City of Nairobi, from land grabbing.
FoOF needs to RAISE FUNDS to assist with litigation, advocacy, implementation of the management plan in order to protect the Oloolua Forest, to save an important, valuable forest in the city, an essential forest and a public green space in the ever burgeoning City of Nairobi, from land grabbing.
- OUR NEWS -
In early April, Oloolua Forest faced perhaps its most serious threat ever; a potential land grab. Thanks to the swift action of FOOF and community members, they were able to suspend the attempted seizure of 66 acres bordering the Nuclear Regulatory Authority plot by the Child Welfare Society of Kenya. Furthermore the Institute of Primate Research had started to fence off their facility with a masonry wall, blocking connectivity to the forest.
If the Child Welfare Society of Kenya, and the Institute of Primate Research are successful, a staggering 25% of Oloolua Forest will be forcibly removed from its protected status.
If the Child Welfare Society of Kenya, and the Institute of Primate Research are successful, a staggering 25% of Oloolua Forest will be forcibly removed from its protected status.
