Nairobi — Friends of Karura Forest (FKF) has petitioned President William Ruto to intervene in a dispute with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) over the alleged construction of National Youth Service housing units inside Karura Forest.

The lobby group is urging the President to halt NYS-related construction activities and restore inclusive decision-making in the management of the forest.

The petition follows concerns over the clearance of indigenous trees and the erection of structures believed to be temporary accommodation for NYS personnel expected to support Kenya's 15 billion trees campaign.

FKF says it was neither informed nor consulted despite its legal mandate under the Forest Conservation and Management Act and existing joint management agreements with KFS. Board member Sansi Dietz called for dialogue, saying any development should involve consultation to agree on the best approach.

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Board Chairman Professor Karanja Njoroge described the dispute as both a conservation and economic matter, noting that Karura Forest attracts tens of thousands of visitors monthly and supports jobs and scholarships for nearby communities.

FKF has proposed that the housing be built at the KFS headquarters along Kiambu Road instead of within protected forest land.

However, KFS maintains that the barracks are being constructed within the forest headquarters' designated residential and administrative zone and that no protected indigenous forest has been excised.

The agency says no trees have been felled, only old stumps removed, adding that similar projects are ongoing at other forest stations to support tree-growing efforts.