Karura Forest Nursery Renovation Aims to Boost Seedling Production
Authorities say that rehabilitating the nursery will help improve the production of tree seedlings and support national efforts to restore degraded land while promoting long-term environmental sustainability.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
The government has issued a clarification regarding activities taking place at the Karura Tree Nursery following public debate and concerns about possible land clearing within Karura Forest.
In a press statement, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said the land involved in the project covers about three acres and forms part of the existing nursery run by the Tree Biotechnology Programme Trust.
Dr. Mwaura explained that the ongoing work does not involve clearing any new sections of the forest. Instead, the activities focus on refurbishing and restoring facilities within the nursery that had fallen into disrepair after a period without proper maintenance.
According to the spokesperson, the land had already been allocated for the TBPT nursery and is currently being rehabilitated to help support the country’s tree planting programmes.
He noted that the exercise is strictly limited to improving facilities within the already designated nursery site and does not involve expanding into new forest areas.
The government intends to use the three-acre site to produce up to two million tree seedlings. These seedlings will support the country’s tree planting drive under the 15 billion Tree Growing Programme.
Dr. Mwaura said that one of the main challenges facing the national campaign has been the limited supply of seedlings required to sustain large-scale tree planting initiatives across the country.
The programme aims to expand Kenya’s forest cover and address climate change, and it requires millions of seedlings to support tree planting by government institutions, organizations and communities.
By strengthening seedling production at the TBPT nursery located in Karura Forest, the government hopes to increase the availability of quality seedlings needed to meet the national target.
Dr. Mwaura also responded to concerns circulating in public discussions and on social media about the activities taking place in the forest.
He emphasized that no additional land is being taken from the forest for the project and urged the public not to rely on misleading information or sensational reports about the matter.
The spokesperson reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding Kenya’s forests while implementing programmes aimed at increasing tree cover and promoting environmental protection.
Karura Forest remains one of Kenya’s most significant urban forests, offering environmental benefits such as carbon absorption, biodiversity conservation and recreational space for residents of Nairobi.
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