Tag: Belgut MP Nelson Koech

MPs Blast KFS Senior Officials Over Fraudulent Award Of Special License To Ngong Road Hotel Owner

Members of Parliament have launched a scathing attack on Kenya Forest Service officials over what they term a fraudulent process that led to the controversial award of a special license to construct a luxury hotel inside Ngong Forest.

The National Assembly Environment, Forestry and Mining Committee, led by Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka, has raised serious questions about the transparency and legality of the licensing process that favored Konyon Company Ltd over the Green Belt Movement, which had earlier applied for a similar project.

During a heated session with Cabinet Secretary for Environment Deborah Barasa on Thursday, lawmakers accused KFS officials of bending rules to accommodate well-connected individuals behind Konyon Company Ltd.

The committee expressed outrage that the company was granted permission to build a glamping eco-lodge and wellness retreat in an area where the Green Belt Movement had been denied similar privileges due to unpaid fees.

“Our forests have been attacked by people who are well connected. The reason Konyon Company was given the licence—because the area doesn’t have trees—does not arise, because even shrubs are part of the forest,” declared Kacheliba MP Titus Lotee, rejecting the ministry’s justification for the project.

The controversy deepened when it emerged that the Green Belt Movement had been approved for a children’s museum project in the same forest in March 2022 but was locked out after failing to pay the requisite special license fees.

However, lawmakers noted that ministry documents presented to the committee contained no evidence that Konyon Company had paid the same fees that disqualified the environmental organization.

“I don’t see any attachment here indicating that Konyon Company paid this fee. It is not in your documents before us,” Turkana Central MP Joseph Emathe challenged ministry officials, demanding proof of payment.

The MPs questioned why KFS granted the license despite widespread environmental concerns raised by stakeholders and civil society organizations.

They accused both the ministry and KFS of ignoring the environmental impact assessment report by the National Environment Management Authority when approving the project.

Construction of the controversial hotel began following approval by the KFS board on January 21, 2025, with a conditional Special Use License issued on February 12.

However, public outcry erupted in May when photos of the construction site surfaced on social media, showing extensive ground preparation in what environmental activists described as encroachment into protected forest land.

Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi defended the project, arguing that the hotel was being constructed in an area with minimal tree cover as part of government efforts to create employment opportunities.

“We target the areas without trees because we also need to create jobs for our people,” Mugambi told the committee.

However, Njoro MP Charity Kathambi dismissed this justification, pointing to the contradiction with the government’s ambitious tree-planting program.

“We owe it to the coming generation—the Gen Zs—that we need to conserve our forests. But it is sad that we are now not planting trees; we are building hotels,” she said.

The committee has demanded comprehensive answers from the ministry, including clarification on the licensing process, evidence of fee payments, and comparative studies of similar forest commercialization projects in other countries.

They also want a detailed report on the status of other forests, particularly Karura Forest, which Chairman Musyoka described as “doing badly.”

The lawmakers have scheduled a visit to Ngong Forest next week to conduct their own assessment of the site and gather evidence for what appears to be shaping up as a major parliamentary investigation into forest management practices in Kenya.

The controversy has reignited debates about the protection of Kenya’s dwindling forest cover and the influence of powerful interests in securing access to public resources meant for conservation.

August 3, 2025
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.

August 1, 2025
Shoot to Kill: MP Koech Overrides Ruto’s Directive to Shoot Legs of Violent Protesters

Belgut lawmaker calls for lethal force against protesters targeting government installations, contradicting President’s measured approach

NAIROBI – Belgut Member of Parliament Nelson Koech has sparked a fresh controversy by calling for police to be given explicit authority to shoot and kill violent protesters, directly contradicting President William Ruto’s Wednesday directive that officers should only shoot protesters in the legs to incapacitate them.

Speaking at a public event on Thursday, July 10, 2025, Koech escalated the government’s hardline stance against ongoing anti-government demonstrations, arguing that the President’s “shoot-in-the-leg” order does not go far enough to protect state institutions and public safety.

The Defence Committee chairperson’s call for lethal force represents a significant departure from President Ruto’s measured approach announced just a day earlier.

While Ruto had instructed police to shoot violent protesters in the legs to incapacitate them before taking them to hospital and subsequently to court, Koech dismissed this as insufficient.

“You cannot have someone coming after your life, and you do not want to shoot and kill. You cannot have someone who is going to endanger you and your family. And you are telling me you cannot shoot and kill,” Koech declared, defending the use of deadly force against what he termed “criminal elements hiding behind the guise of protest.”

Koech grounded his position in existing legal frameworks, arguing that both the Constitution and the Police Act already empower law enforcement to use firearms when their lives are threatened.

He maintained that the current wave of violence demands a firmer response than the President’s directive allows.

“The police have the power to use their arms when they have evaluated the risk of their lives are in danger,” the MP noted.

“These people cannot be terrorising others. Anyone who has to go to a protected area like the State House is not an ordinary person. That is a criminal, that is an armed person that must be dealt with using equal force, and the only force that applies to such people is to shoot and kill.”

Terrorism allegations

In perhaps his most inflammatory remarks, Koech likened protesters who target government installations to terrorists, suggesting they should face terrorism charges.

This represents a significant escalation in the government’s characterization of the demonstrations that have rocked Kenya since June.

“I can tell you they are terrorists and they are going to be charged as either facilitating terrorism or being terrorists themselves,” Koech stated, dismissing concerns about potential abuse of police powers.

The MP’s comments come against the backdrop of escalating violence during recent protests.

On Monday, July 7, 2025, at least 31 people were killed during nationwide anti-government demonstrations marking the 35th anniversary of Kenya’s pro-democracy uprising.

The protests, which began as calls for economic reforms, have evolved into demands for President Ruto’s resignation.

The violence has prompted international concern, with the United Nations and various human rights organizations accusing Kenyan police of excessive force.

This scrutiny appears to have influenced President Ruto’s decision to issue the more measured “shoot-in-the-leg” directive rather than authorizing lethal force.

Koech’s stance puts him at odds not only with the President but also with growing criticism from other political leaders.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has already criticized Ruto’s “shoot-in-the-leg” order as lacking “feelings and humanity,” while EALA MP David Ole Sankok has urged the President to reconsider the directive entirely.

The public response to Ruto’s Wednesday announcement has been largely negative, with Kenyans turning the directive into viral memes featuring images of people on crutches.

The satirical response highlights the public’s rejection of what many see as disproportionate state violence against protesters.

Proportionality debate

The contradiction between Koech’s “shoot-to-kill” advocacy and Ruto’s “shoot-in-the-leg” order raises fundamental questions about the proportionality of force in crowd control.

While Koech argues that constitutional protections justify lethal force, critics contend that such measures would further inflame public anger and potentially trigger more violence.

The debate reflects broader tensions within the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party about how to respond to the sustained protests while maintaining legitimacy and avoiding further casualties.

Koech’s comments are likely to intensify international pressure on Kenya’s government.

The MP, who serves as chairperson of the National Assembly’s Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, has previously rejected external criticism of Kenya’s handling of protests, telling diplomatic missions not to interfere in the country’s internal affairs.

However, calls for lethal force against protesters may prompt stronger international condemnation and potentially impact Kenya’s relationships with development partners and the international community.

As Kenya grapples with its worst civil unrest in years, the contradiction between senior government officials on the use of force highlights the lack of a unified strategy for addressing the crisis.

While President Ruto appears to be seeking a balance between maintaining order and avoiding further casualties, lawmakers like Koech are pushing for more aggressive measures.

The outcome of this internal debate within the government will likely determine not only the immediate response to ongoing protests but also the long-term trajectory of Kenya’s democracy and respect for human rights.

The international community, civil society organizations, and ordinary Kenyans will be watching closely to see whether the government chooses the path of de-escalation or further entrenchment in its hardline approach to dissent.

July 10, 2025
State to Arrest Gachagua Over Gen Z Protests

NAIROBI — Security forces surrounded the residences of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday night, as the government moved to arrest him over alleged involvement in last year’s deadly “Occupy Parliament” protests, according to Belgut MP Nelson Koech.

Speaking during a Monday morning interview on Citizen TV, MP Koech claimed that Gachagua, along with several unnamed members of parliament, is facing imminent charges related to the June 25, 2024, protests that saw demonstrators storm Parliament.

“Rigathi Gachagua, as we are talking right now, including a few members of parliament, are about to be charged for what happened last year on June 25. The invasion of parliament and the chaos after, and the act itself, include Rigathi Gachagua,” Koech stated.

The move comes days after Gachagua made controversial statements about the upcoming 2027 general elections, warning that any attempt to manipulate the electoral process could lead to violence worse than the 2007/2008 post-election crisis that claimed over 1,000 lives.

“With the mood in the country, if that IEBC tries to mess with the elections, there will be no country here. I want to tell you that 2007 will look like a Christmas party,” Gachagua reportedly said on Friday, referring to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

Belgut MP Nelson Koech.

Koech alleged that authorities view Gachagua as a threat because of his inflammatory rhetoric.

“When he issues another statement, it is not taken lightly because this is someone who has the capability of causing chaos, not by any power that he has, but through his tongue,” he said.

Government officials, including Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, have publicly denounced Gachagua’s remarks, promising legal action against anyone threatening peace during the upcoming elections.

Gachagua has since attempted to clarify his statements, claiming they were taken out of context.

“I never said there would be chaos in Kenya. What I said is that, according to the concerns being raised by Kenyans, there must be no attempts to rig the elections—so that we avoid a repeat of the tragic events of 2007/2008,” he explained during a church service in Murang’a County on Sunday.

By Sunday night, police had surrounded Gachagua’s homes in both Karen, Nairobi, and in Nyeri County, according to reports.

The June 2024 “Gen Z” protests, which the government is now linking to Gachagua, saw young Kenyans storm Parliament buildings in demonstrations that turned violent, resulting in multiple casualties.

The potential arrest of Gachagua comes amid heightened political tensions in the region, highlighted by the recent deportation of opposition figure Martha Karua from neighboring Tanzania, where she was attempting to attend court proceedings for Tanzanian opposition politician Tundu Lissu.

Koech, who also chairs the Foreign Relations Committee, commented on Karua’s deportation during the same interview, suggesting she should “focus on Kenya” rather than involving herself in matters across East Africa.

May 19, 2025