Former Chief Justice David Maraga has recently criticized President Ruto’s administration over changes at the Karura Forest.
In a statement, Maraga faulted the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) decision to shift entrance fee payments for Karura Forest to the government’s eCitizen platform.
According to the former CJ, the recent changes at Karura Forest contravened the constitution as the government did not carry out public participation.
Former CJ David Maraga raises concern over Karura Forest changes. Photo: Courtesy.
“For 15 years, Karura Forest has been a respite for Nairobians and families as green spaces continue to diminish in the once ‘Green City in the Sun. The lack of public participation regarding the change in the management of Karura Forest is a clear violation of Article 10 of the Constitution. The increase in entrance fees and the directive to use the questionable eCitizen, a platform which the Auditor General has raised serious concerns about, puts to question the true intentions of the move by the Kenya Forest Service,” Maraga noted.
He accused Ruto of disregarding the rule of law, citing contradictions between leading the Katiba Day commemoration and the government’s actions at Karura Forest.
Maraga went on to vow not to allow what he described as a brazen attempt to destroy the country’s natural resources.
Maraga’s statement comes hours after KFS announced that all visitor payments for Karura Forest services will be processed through the government’s e-Citizen digital platform.
In a statement, the service justified the change as compliance with a government directive mandating that all public services migrate to the centralized e-Citizen platform.
