In response to recent allegations made by Kenya Forest Service (KFS), the Friends of Karura Forest (FKF) refutes all claims of financial mismanagement.

On 2 September 2025, during an interview on Citizen TV, KFS Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr. Alex Lemarkoko, cited an unspecified KFS audit that he claimed exposed Irregularities in FKF accounting, without providing further details.

FKF’s Response and Clarification:

The Friends of Karura Forest is a Community Forest Association set up to involve communities in the conservation of public forests. Our operations are governed by a legally binding Joint Management Agreement with the KFS, signed on April 26, 2021.

This Agreement outlines joint obligations for both parties, which FKF has strictly followed. We confirm that:

– All Joint Management Committee and FKF financial statements are up to date, and audited accounts are submitted to the relevant authorities, including KFS, each year.

– The bank account for gate collections is a joint account requiring the approval of both FKF and KFS signatories for any payments to be processed. This gives KFS direct oversight of all financial transactions.

Regarding the alleged  “audit report” , FKF clarifies the following:

– This report was prepared without our knowledge or involvement.

– A joint committee, including members from the Ministry of Environment, KFS, and FKF, was established to review the document.

– However, on August 29, 2025—the day of the committee’s first scheduled meeting – KFS took over Karura Forest, removing all FKF staff from their offices and the premises.

We want to assure the public that all FKF Board Member positions are voluntary. Board Members receive no payment for their time or services. Their sole purpose is to serve the public and preserve Karura Forest for future generations.