KFS CEO Lemarkoko Under Fire As MPs Question Dubious Ngong Forest Hotel ‘Special Use’ License

Kenya Forest Service Chief Executive Officer Alexander Lemarkoko finds himself at the center of a brewing parliamentary storm as MPs intensify scrutiny over the controversial issuance of a Special Use License to Konyon Company Limited for hotel construction in Ngong Forest.

The parliamentary Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining has raised serious questions about the propriety and transparency of the licensing process that allowed the company, owned by directors Beatrice Pauline Kones, Yvonne Chepkurui Kones, and Arthur Konye Igeria, to commence construction of a luxury eco-lodge within the protected forest sanctuary.

At the heart of the controversy lies a tale of competing applications and questionable decision-making.

In 2022, the respected Green Belt Movement had applied to establish a children’s museum comprising exhibition pavilions, walkways, and educational facilities within the same forest.

The KFS board approved this environmentally conscious proposal on March 8, 2022, but the project stalled when GBM failed to pay the prerequisite licensing fees.

Two years later, in November 2024, Konyon Company Limited submitted its application for a “unique glamping eco-lodge and wellness retreat.”

Unlike the educational initiative proposed by GBM, this commercial venture sailed through the approval process with remarkable speed.

The KFS board reviewed and approved the request on January 21, 2025, with a conditional Special User License issued just three weeks later on February 12, 2025.

The rapid approval has raised eyebrows among lawmakers who question why a commercial hotel project received preferential treatment over an educational facility. Kacheliba MP Titus Lotee expressed the committee’s concerns bluntly, stating that Kenya’s forests “have been attacked by people who are well-connected.”

Central to the MPs’ investigation is whether Konyon Company actually paid the required fees for the license issuance. Turkana Central MP Joseph Emathe has demanded evidence from the ministry showing proof of payment, highlighting a glaring inconsistency where GBM’s application was rejected for non-payment while Konyon’s proceeded despite similar questions about fee settlement.

The environmental violations surrounding the project have further complicated Lemarkoko’s position. The National Environmental Management Authority confirmed that Konyon Company has been operating without proper environmental licenses, with construction commencing before obtaining necessary approvals from NEMA. The Environmental Impact Assessment consultant even admitted that work began before securing proper licensing, a blatant violation of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act.

Adding to the controversy is the discrepancy in project scope. While KFS records indicate approval for 11 luxury units, NEMA flagged inconsistencies showing the original plan involved 20 cottages. The proposed development includes luxury tented units, a hexadome restaurant, spa facilities with sauna and steam rooms, staff housing, and extensive recreational facilities spread across the forest sanctuary.

Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi’s defense of the project has done little to quell parliamentary concerns. His assertion that construction targeted “areas with minimal trees” and represented “normal practice in many forests” was met with skepticism from lawmakers who pointed out that even shrubs constitute part of the forest ecosystem requiring protection.

The Green Belt Movement has not remained silent on the matter. The organization, custodian of Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai’s conservation legacy, condemned the project as a “blatant disregard for transparency and stakeholder accountability.” They have threatened legal action to halt the development, arguing that constitutional principles of public participation were grossly neglected.

Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa announced the suspension of construction pending “independent review and broader stakeholder consultation,” but this reactive measure has done little to address the fundamental questions about how the license was issued in the first place.

Committee Chairman Vincent Musyoka has announced plans for a physical inspection of the forest site next week, emphasizing that the investigation cannot be conducted “from the comfort of our offices.” The committee aims to assess the environmental damage and determine appropriate recommendations.

The controversy highlights broader concerns about forest management and the protection of Kenya’s dwindling natural resources. Njoro MP Charity Kathambi captured the sentiment of many when she lamented that the country has shifted “from planting trees to building hotels in forests.”

As the investigation unfolds, Lemarkoko faces mounting pressure to explain the decision-making process that prioritized commercial interests over environmental conservation and educational initiatives. The MPs’ threat to recommend impeachment proceedings against CS Barasa if construction continues signals the seriousness with which parliament views this environmental transgression.

The Ngong Forest hotel controversy represents more than just a licensing dispute; it has become a test case for Kenya’s commitment to environmental protection and transparent governance in natural resource management. With public outcry growing and legal challenges looming, the KFS leadership finds itself defending not just a single licensing decision, but the integrity of the entire forest management system.