Operations at Karura Forest face severe disruption after the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) mandated that all payments will now be made exclusively through the government’s eCitizen platform, effective immediately. The Friends of Karura Forest (FKF), who have co-managed the forest for over a decade, express concerns over this sudden decision and its financial implications.

• The new directive on revenue collection through eCitizen took effect on August 28.
• The Friends of Karura Forest (FKF), a community trust, was not consulted or notified about the changes by KFS.
• FKF warns that the move transfers all forest revenue to the government, jeopardizing funds for staff salaries and operational costs.