Friends of Karura Forest

The Friends of Karura Forest (FKF) is a Community Forest Association (CFA) founded in October 2009. A CFA is a mechanism established by the Forest Act of 2005 ( sections 46 and 47, Forest Rules 41 and 42) to support the Kenya Forest Service in its mission to protect, manage and enhance Kenya’s forest resources.

Under the terms of a Joint Forest Management Agreement with the Kenya Forest Service, FKF is a full partner in the management and conservation of Karura Forest Reserve. The far-reaching and forward-looking Agreement is a major milestone for stakeholder citizen involvement in joint-stewardship with government of an important national resource. 

The terms of the Agreement cover such areas as security (electric fence, manned gates and associated infrastructure), conservation (reforestation, resource management, controlled access), and eco-friendly activities in support of conservation, education, science and recreation; as well as shared financial accountancy for all joint activities. 

Basically, the agreement enshrines the principles of cooperation that have hallmarked the phenomenal re-emergence of Karura as a protected national heritage since 2009, when the FKF was chartered as a Community Forest Association.

FKF’s ever-expanding membership allows the association to: