Job Mwangi

@Disembe x.com/i/status/20277…

THIEVES OF KARURA FOREST, aka ‘Friends’ of Karura Forest, is a cartel of less than five families feeding off the vast forest resource while covering up their looting in conservation terms. They claim NYS personel being brought in to undertake the multi-million shilling tree seedlings project are untrained, and want the so called “forest-adjacent disadvantaged commumities” to be solely hired. Since when did opportunities in Kenya depend on locality? THIEVES OF KARURA FORESR are not worried about those poor slum dwellers they pay peanuts. What worries the THIEVES OF KARURA FOREST are the donor millions now disappearing, as GoK resumes its constitutional role of protecting Kenyan forests for ALL OF US. THIEVES OF KARURA FOREST were silent when hotels were being constructed inside the forest, but now waxing lyrical. Perhaps, the goveenment should take these thieves of karura through the NYS curriculum so that they know the institution can produce youths capable of taking care of tree seedlings.

@Disembe x.com/i/status/20277…

When those THIEVES OF KARURA FOREST learn that the government — which Kenyans gave exclusive mandate to protect Kenya’s forests — is increasing its presence in the forest conservation and management arena, they go bonkers and light fires using their corrupt allies in the Kenyan press. NYS personnel engaged in tree seedlings project (Ksh 10 billion tree cover is not a story) must be housed in decent temporary structures within the forest. THIEVES OF KARURA FOREST, also known as ‘friends of Karura’, is a corrupt cartel of murima forest resource thieves and their family friends from other Kenyan communities. The recent media headlines scandalizing the government’s temporary structures is testament to the continued corrupt influences [that] forest cartels have on Kenya’s increasingly corrupt and partisan press.

@citizentvkenya x.com/GreenBeltMovmn…

Barracks In Karura Forest: Uproar over construction of NYS barracks inside Karura forest Environmentalists demand immediate halt to the project Friends of Karura and Green Belt Movement lead opposition KFS: There is no allocation of the forest to any private developer #CitizenFridayNight

@KeForestService x.com/GreenBeltMovmn…

KENYA FOREST SERVICE HEADQUARTER TO HOST EXPANDED TREE NURSERY AND BARRACKS In line with the Presidential directive to raise tree seedlings towards growing of 15 billion trees by 2032, for achievement of 30 percent tree cover, Kenya Forest Service Headquarter grounds, is set to host an expanded tree nursery and barracks. This tree nursery will have a capacity of two million tree seedlings per year and the expanded seedbeds are positioned within KFS HQ grounds. In addition, the National Youth Service is partnering with Kenya Forest Service to raise the tree seedlings. Towards this, barracks are being set up within the KFS HQ staff quarters by the Ministry of Housing, for the NYS team that will be responsible for raising the tree seedlings. This team will work in tandem with KFS technical staff and Forest Rangers to raise high quality tree seedlings. The Chief Conservator of Forests Mr Alex Lemarkoko visited the site today to assess the progress and he noted indigenous and exotic tree seedlings as well as fruit trees will be produced simultaneously to meet the high demand for quality tree seedlings. This model tree nursery will supply Nairobi and its environs, laying emphasis on the importance of urban tree growing and green cities.

@KeForestService x.com/GreenBeltMovmn…

   CLARIFICATION - ONGOING WORKS IN KENYA FOREST SERVICE HEADQUARTERS Kenya Forest Service (KFS) wishes to clarify the status of ongoing works within the Forest Rangers living quarters located within the KFS Headquarters, Karura, following concerns raised online. Currently, there is development of barracks for National Youth Service (NYS) personnel who will be partnering with the Service to support in raising of tree seedlings. Setting up of barracks for NYS is happening not only in Karura forest, but in other forest stations around the country including Ngong Hills forest where the barracks are nearing completion. The partnership between KFS and NYS is meant to provide labour and boost tree seedling production to support realization of the national strategy of growing 15 billion trees by 2032 for realization of 30 percent tree cover. Raising and provision of adequate amounts of tree seedlings is a critical first step which has been lacking in the past, leading to severe shortages of good quality tree seedlings. The barracks are being set up in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and they consist of prefabricated metal containers and the works are confined to an existing administrative and residential service zone. There has been no excision of Karura forest land, norallocation to private developers or encroachment into protected indigenous forest or core conservation areas as alleged by a section of the civil society. In addition, no trees have been felled, only removal of old tree stumps. Secondly, there is expansion of existing tree nurseries that is ongoing, not only in Karura forest, but in all forest stations countrywide to meet the target of growing 15 billion trees. Expansion of existing tree nurseries and construction of model tree nurseries will ensure production of high quality indigenous and exotic tree species as well as fruit trees, reliable irrigation systems, improved storage, and secure operational areas to increase both seedling output and survival rates. This initiative between KFS and NYS, is intended to boost operational efficiency while offering structured environmental service opportunities for youth. The works being undertaken are in compliance with the Forest Conservation and Management Act (2016), and Article 69 of the Constitution, which mandate the Service to ensure sustainable forest management, conservation and restoration. The activities do not constitute any land-use change or forest conversion. Karura remains a protected public forest land and it is not under any threat and the public should disregard any other opinions to the contrary.

@KeForestService x.com/GreenBeltMovmn…

Prefabricated containers are being placed in KFS Headquarters, Rangers camp (Kijiji), to provide accomodation for NYS personnel who will be involved in raising tree seedlings. The prefabricated containers are movable and temporary by design. The NYS personnel need to be housed close to the tree nursery to ensure they conduct their duties efficiently. The team is expected to increase the capacity of the existing Tree Biotechnology Project tree nursery. This will contribute to KFS goal of increasing the capacity of its tree nurseries. Similar prefabricated containers have been placed in Ngong hills forest station as depicted in the attached pictures. The partnership between KFS and NYS will provide much needed labour while creating employment for the youth. To date the availability of adequate numbers of tree seedlings has been a great challenge due to the high cost of labor.

Karura Forest is a public asset that must be protected through transparency, legality and public participation. We oppose the ongoing barracks development and call on @KeForestService to immediately halt the works and subject the project to full public scrutiny. #SaveKarura

😭Karura, Mau, Imenti, Kakamega, Suam, Mt.Elgon Forests. Every day, another public forest faces danger. This is our water, climate & our children’s inheritance. Mr President, Article 42 is clear: protect Kenya’s forests. Once they are gone there is no return. #SaveOurForests

Great conversations happening now on the first pre-event of the Inaugural Wangari Maathai Hackathon. #TeamGBM

🏆 Proud moment for #TeamGBM! 🌿 We were honoured to win the Youth, Gender & Community Innovation award at the #KGBSAwards2025 🎉 This recognition celebrates decades of empowering communities, restoring the environment, and carrying forward the #WangariMaathaiLegacy. 💚🌍

📰In today’s @PeopleDailyKe, our Advocacy Manager, Job Mwangi, explains why what is happening at Karura Forest is not just a takeover, but the slow death of community co-management that has protected this treasure for 15 yrs. Karura belongs to people. #HandsOffKarura #SaveKarura

Hey @SakajaJohnson — why not ask @KeForestService to divert the millions they’re pouring into tarmacking Karura Forest to fix Kindaruma Rd, Kilimani & its environs? Nairobians need roads, not bitumen in our forests. #TarmacHereNotKarura #SaveKarura

@GreenBeltMovmnt @karurafriends @KeForestService @citizentvkenya @KTNNewsKE @tv47news @MathaiWanjira @DeboraBarasa @ConservationKen @UNEP @Greenpeaceafric @Isnt it suspect that the embezzlement allegations are coming conveniently 15 years later when they want to forcefully eject Friends of Karura Forest? Where have they reported the claims? #HandsOffKarura #SaveKarura

Breaking News! 🚨 @karurafriends & partners have moved to the Environment & Land Court to challenge @KeForestService’s move forcing Karura Forest entry fees be paid exclusively via eCitizen. The matter was certified urgent & will be heard on 22/9/25. #HandsOffKarura #SaveKarura

@GreenBeltMovmnt @karurafriends @KeForestService @citizentvkenya @KTNNewsKE @tv47news @MathaiWanjira @DeboraBarasa @ConservationKen @UNEP @Greenpeaceafric We watched the CCF's interview on Citizen TV but sorry the Hyena cannot convince us that the squirrels are more dangerous to the goats. Karura exists because of activists and not because of the government, which has been trying to grab it for decades. #SaveKarura #HandsOffKarura

This "mkubwa" mentality and arrogance should be nowhere near the management of Karura Forest. #SaveKarura #HandsOffKarura

@MariamBashir @EricLatiff How the exchequer works is that KFS will only propose a budget and it is the treasury to decide what to give. The CCF is actually going to weaken the CFA and in the long run the forest is bound to suffer. #FixingTheNationNTV

The truth is Friends of Karura Forest have a genuine concern. They are being bullied by the Kenya Forest Service. They will no longer be co-managing the forest with KFS. This is a forced takeover. #FixingTheNationNTV

Did friends of Karura agree to the change? What happens to the current agreement? KFS does not have a say on what exchequer allocates to them. They prepare a budget and it's the treasury to decide what to give. So the CFF will being economical with the truth. #FixingTheNationNTV