NAIROBI– Environment, Forestry and Climate Change Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Thursday appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Lands, Environment, and Natural Resources, chaired by Mombasa Senator Faki Mohamed. The session, held at Bunge Towers in Nairobi, focused on the protection of Karura Forest and other critical environmental matters, including waste management and the private sector’s role in climate action.
CS Aden Duale began by addressing concerns surrounding the protection of Karura Forest, emphasizing that previous online information suggesting the forest’s vulnerability was misleading.
He assured the committee that Karura Forest, a vital green space in Nairobi, is under the Ministry’s full protection.
“The replacement of commercial forests with indigenous trees is a carefully planned exercise,” Duale explained. “This initiative is being implemented in phases, with a target of 5,000 hectares annually. It forms a core part of the Karura Forest Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP), a collaborative effort between the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and Friends of Karura Forest.”
The CS reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to the protection of Karura and other gazetted forests across the country, noting that illegal activities in these protected areas would not be tolerated.
Duale also highlighted the significant role of the private sector in accelerating Kenya’s climate action agenda. He acknowledged the sector’s vast financial, technological, and manpower resources, which could greatly contribute to environmental preservation and sustainability efforts.
He pointed to the collaboration between the Ministry and Safaricom in fencing City Park, a partnership aimed at reducing congestion in Karura Forest. This public-private partnership reflects the potential of leveraging corporate resources to address environmental challenges while promoting sustainable practices.
Appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Lands, Environment, and Natural Resources, chaired by Mombasa Senator Hon. Faki Mohamed, to reaffirm the government's commitment to protecting Karura Forest.
Speaking before the committee, I dismissed misinformation and clarified… pic.twitter.com/QLE2ptMtSf
— Hon. Aden Duale, EGH (@HonAdenDuale) March 20, 2025
In the area of waste management, the CS reiterated the government’s responsibility to provide its citizens with a clean and healthy environment. He underscored the importance of collaboration between County and National governments to ensure effective implementation of waste management programs.
Duale also discussed the recently amended National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) regulations, noting that his Ministry is setting up a hotline for Kenyans to report the illegal construction of clubs in residential areas. This initiative is part of broader efforts to improve urban planning and maintain environmental standards.
In closing, CS Duale reassured the Senate Committee that the Ministry remains steadfast in its resolve to protect Kenya’s natural resources and create a better, cleaner environment for future generations.
