The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has introduced drone surveillance in a bid to strengthen security in Karura Forest.
In a statement on Sunday, September 14, KFS said the drones, operated by the Security and Protection Directorate, are part of its plan to improve visitor safety in the forest.
“Kenya Forest Service ensures all visitors are safe through new technology. The drone unit from the Security and Protection Directorate now conducts regular aerial patrols throughout the forest.
“This new security system provides better monitoring of the forest area, giving visitors confidence as they walk, cycle, and picnic,” the statement read.
KFS explained that the drones unit will work alongside existing ground patrols, allowing for quicker detection of potential threats.
“The drone patrols work alongside existing ground security measures, showing KFS’s commitment to keeping Karura Forest safe and accessible for all Nairobi residents and visitors.
“This recent addition demonstrates KFS’s ongoing efforts to improve visitor experience while protecting this valuable urban forest,” the statement added.
Elsewhere, KFS moved to reassure Kenyans following an online petition seeking the reversal of a directive requiring Karura Forest entry fees to be paid through the eCitizen platform.
The petition by the Friends of Karura Forest (FKF) wants the public to push for a return to the previous system, where the community forest association was collecting all revenue and utilizing it to fund management of the forest.
It also alleges that the Karura Forest is becoming insecure and that there are chances of grabbing and encroachment.
KFS dismissed the claims in the online petition by FKF, terming them as false and misleading.
It clarified that the decision to use the eCitizen platform for all payments in the forest is in line with a government directive requiring all state agencies to use the platform.
“The decision to move revenue collection to the e-Citizen platform is informed by a Government directive. Gazette Notice No 16008 of 2022 directs that all national government revenues received by national government entities be collected into the E-Citizen platform,” the statement read in part.
KFS noted that apart from changing the mode of revenue collection, all other aspects of joint co-management of Karura forest remain the same.
The service also dismissed claims that the Karura Forest could become unsafe for visitors.
“Security of Karura forest is assured due to the existence of an electric fence and continuous patrols by Forest Rangers and Community scouts. This will not change,” the statement added.
Further, it said the Karura CFA employees will continue with their normal duties, and the notion that there will be job losses is false and misleading.
The service noted that CFA management had warned the Karura Forest employees to boycott work, with only a handful reporting back to their normal duties.
“The narrative that is being used by the CFA to keep reminding the public of how insecure Karura forest was in the past is misleading because there is no possibility of reversing gains made over the years,” the statement concluded.
