The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has suspended a license issued to Karura Gold Range Ltd for the construction of a restaurant and golf range within Ngong Road Forest, Nairobi.

In a statement, NEMA Director General Mamo B Mamo says the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) License No. NEMA/IEA/PSL/36483 was suspended after a field inspection established the project is within an existing pipeline wayleave in Miotoni Block.

“The proposed site being a public forest of high biodiversity conservation value needs an in-depth ecological impacts and risks assessment undertaken through a wider participatory approach to ensure inclusivity and meaningful public participation and acceptance,” the statement dated December 18, 2025 reads in part.

The authority also notes that by virtue of the proposed restaurant and golf range being on a pipeline wayleave, it needs to be subjected to a comprehensive compatibility assessment and Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) to determine its viability, quantify the project risks impacts and exposure to the Project Affected Persons (PAPs), properties and the sensitive recipient environment.

“Section 67 (2) of EMCA, 1999 states that whenever an Environmental Impact Assessment License is revoked, suspended or cancelled, the holder thereof shall not proceed with the project which is the subject of the license until a new license is issued by the Authority,” NEMA adds.

This comes just a day after Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale had ordered the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) and the Director General of NEMA to suspend the two licenses that had paved way for the project, and prepare a detailed brief on the matter within 72 hours.

“My office will provide a way forward on the matter that has attracted great public interest after the briefing by the CCF and the Director General of NEMA,” CS Duale said. “KFS has been directed to refrain from issuing any additional special licenses. An audit of all licenses previously issued will be conducted in due course to ensure transparency and accountability.”