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 September-December 2013 | |
Friends of Karura Forest Newsletter
Community Forest Association
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9,000
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The average number of monthly visitors to Karura Forest Reserve during 2013. 52% of visitors are Kenyan citizens enjoying their national heritage,
safely and securely.
Numbers of Monthly Karura Visitors
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| PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP & RESIDENCY REQUIRED | |
POLITE NOTICE
Documentary proof of Kenya Citizenship or Residency will be required to be shown at the gate in order to qualify for Citizen or Resident entry fees.
'RESIDENTS' are defined as non-citizen persons living in Kenya. Non-citizen persons living in other East African Community countries (Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda & Burundi) are considered to be NON-RESIDENTS for the purpose of the Karura Forest entry fee schedule.
Thanks for your cooperation!
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| Where else in Nairobi... |
... can a lady on her own take a stroll in a public place with three kids in tow? |
| Coming Soon: 5th Access Gate | Gate "C", on Kiambu Road oppostie Shark's Palace will be open on weekends only beginning
18 January for a trial period (and pending sufficient funds to cover extra staff time). It is hoped the additional access will help visitors, particularly trail bikers, dog-owners and naturalists to have access to the northern sector of Karura Forest. (See last main article, below right.)
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| Works Corner |
The volunteers who make up the Friends of Karura and their team of Scouts are at work in the forest each and every day...
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Chief Scout Chege briefs Lantana-clearers
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KFS prepares Bushbuck Vlei
for First Lady's visit
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FKF receives NEMA approval for Limuru Road Bridge from Norken Engineers
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Clearing exotic Eucaplyts from swamp edge
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...and so on...
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| A Rat's Tale | |
The Giant Pouched Rat
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Noteworthy Events
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Karura continues to host some of the biggest social events on Nairobi's busy social calendar.
A few examples....
OKTOBER FEST 2013
On 4th and 5th October, the German Business Association hosted Oktoberfest 2013. The festival allowed over 1,500 Kenyans and other nationalities to enjoy traditional German meals like pretzels, schnitzels & sausages as they listened to performances by bands Germany's Dirndl Jäger and Kenya's Calabash Bands.
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MUTHAIGA COUNTRY CLUB
FITNESS DAY  For the 3rd consecutive year MCC fitness club organised a charity Walk/Run on 12th October in support of breast cancer research. * * *
FAMILY FUN DAY
On 26th October, over 300 staff members of Harley Limited and their families had forest fun at the KFEET centre.
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WOMEN'S FESTIVAL
A musical concert in aid of disadvantaged children was held at KFEET grounds on 2nd November .
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DIWALI
On 10 November the Kanbis Sport club held its annual Diwali get together at Karura. Over 200 people participated in the Fun filled day.
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BIZBAZ XMAS 2013
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FKF stall at BizBaz
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Bizarre Bazaar Christmas Craft Festival 2013 that was held at KFEET grounds 16-17 November attracted over 4,000 visitors -- a fantastic turnout in the face of all the challenges that the good people of Nairobi have faced in these past few months. Over 80 stallholders presented an array of products and services from all over Africa
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Bikes for Hire
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FKF has a number of sturdy multi-speed trail bikes for hire to use on designated forest trails. Bikes available at KFEET centre at KES 500/= per 2 hrs.
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| Get a Receipt! | |
Please make sure you sign-in at the gates and get a receipt for entry fees and maps.
Security and maintenance in the forest depends on revenue from events and gate-takings.
Your gate fees help maintain the security fence and pay the Karura Scouts.
Please retain and be prepared to show your receipts to FKF Scouts on patrol.
Many thanks!
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| Good dog! | 
Most dog owners are now keeping their best friends on-leash unless in sign-posted off-leash areas. A new map available at the gates shows the areas, along with the 5-, 10- and 15-km running and walking trails. The map can be seen online here. Please Read Dog Guidelines |
| Newsletter Archive | |
Missing an issue?
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The turbulent last quarter of 2013 left Kenyans stunned and reflecting on what the future holds. Perhaps partly responding to the dreadful events at Westgate Mall in late September, more visitors than ever sought the leafy quiet and peacefulness of Karura Forest Reserve, peaking in a record 15,000 visitors in November. By way of offering solace to the families of victims, a memorial was erected at the new picnic site (see article below).
As you can see from the graph below left, Nairobians and visitors from abroad continue to stream in through the four (soon to be five - see below) access gates at an rate of some 300 a day, an average of 9,000 a month over the course of 2013. Our concerns that the forest may suffer from its own success are so far unfounded. Karura wildlife is registering positive votes in two ways: more babies are being born and more daylight sightings as duikers and bushbucks regain a sense of security.
In case you haven't been following us on Facebook, or browsing the FKF website - where you can find all the forest facts, including entry and membership fees, eco-facts, maps and more - we're pleased to share with you this Newsletter summary of what's gone on in the forest during the last quarter 0f 2013.
Welcome to Karura! Karibuni Karura!
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Indigenous Tree Planting
Many hectares cleared, thousands of trees planted
There has been so much enthusiastic tree planting since the last newsletter that we hardly know where to begin. Literally thousands of indigenous trees were planted with Lantana being cleared and care paid for by private and corporate sponsors. A few highlights...
 | | First Lady greeting KFS, FKF and National Bank Chairmen |
In October Her Excellency the First Lady Mrs. Margaret Kenyatta for the third time in 2013 graced Karura with her presence, this time joining the National Bank of Kenya in launching a nationwide reforestation campaign called 'Plant a Tree for a Better Life' and aims to plant one million trees by 2017.
 The First Lady was accompanied by Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Prof. Judi Wakhungu (left) who urged Kenyans to plant trees to protect the environment.
The occasion was also attended by the KFS Chairman, Director and senior staff members, by the Chairman of FKF, and by the National Bank board members, senior management and staff.
The National Bank will sponsor the planting of 1,000 more seedlings during the next rainy season.
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 In November, The National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (a lead government agency on all matters relating to scientific and technological activities and research necessary for proper development of the country) partnered with FKF to restore the wetland near KFEET centre by planting 1000 indigenous trees.
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Lucy Njoka shows the way
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The ceremony was launched by Deputy Commission Secretary, Dr. M.K. Rugutt. In attendance for the tree planting were the NACOSTI staff, FKF Secretary Camille Wekesa, Assistant Forester Fredrick Mutisya, FKF staff and KFS Karura Rangers.
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 | | Karanja Njoroge makes sure James Waweru and Jose Saldanha get it right |
In December, Kenya Postel Directories Ltd along with Wells Fargo Security (partners in Postel's paper recycling programme) supported the clearing of Lantana and planting of 500 indigenous trees along the Family Trail at the Turaco Creek bridge and Junction 8.
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Westgate Memorial
Kenyans remember victims in Karura
The tragic events at Westgate Mall in September left Kenyan's and friends determined not to let the terrorists win in the long run. A world of fear and treachery is not what Kenya wants, and one  of the many gestures of solidarity and hope for the future was the erection by FKF and the Kenya Forest Service of a Memorial in honour the Westgate victims at the new picnic site in Karura Forest on 21 October.
Over 400 people including victims' families, friends, diplomats, school children and volunteers attended.  Some 70 seedlings were planted by families of the victims assisted by school kids in memory of their loved ones. Kenyans are grateful that there is a place of peace in which to find solace in good times or bad. That place is Karura.
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Westgate Memorial Photo: KFS
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Forest Mystery
Historic site uncovered
 | | Pre-independece dwellings revealed |
During the Lantana-clearing and tree-planting between KFEET and Lily Lake more exciting historical finds were revealed (apart from the 1930s borehole - see last Newsletter). The bases and some walls of a number of buildings suggest that the site was once busy and well-occupied.
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Double hearth: what was it for?
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Particularly interesting is the curious double hearth (seen in the photo, right).
Reliable sources are beginning to provide sketchy brush-strokes of the buildings' history. One local resident recalls that she went to primary school with one of the two daughters of a Rutheford family that lived on the site in the 1960s. Mr. Rutheford was apparently the head landscaper for the City of Nairobi.
And an even earlier recollection from a professional who has known Kenya since pre-independence, relates that the site was once occupied by a Mr. Kiln, who, apart from being the Forester, raised dogs and burnt bricks.
Can anyone can shed more light on this Karura mystery?
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School Bag Donation
Neighbourhood school kids helped by FKF
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Photo: Lucy Njoka
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It was a sea of red as Cheleta Primary School received school bags in November donated by School in a Bag, a programme of the The Piers Simon Appeal, a UK registered charity. School in a Bag is a simple solution created to help poor, orphaned, vulnerable and disaster-affected children throughout the world. Each school bag comes filled with stationery equipment and resources that will enable a child to write, draw, colour, calculate, express themselves and above all learn.
The School in Bag programme donated funds to FKF to buy 850 bags and the stationery to fill them up. The bags were sourced locally and packed by volunteer students from the International School of Kenya and Braeburn School.
Cheleta Primary is where most of the kids from the Huruma informal settlement go to school; many are the children of the FKF Scouts.
The donation of the bags to the Cheleta Primary was inaugurated by Prof. Karanja Njoroge (FKF Chair), Camille Wekesa (FKF Secretary) , Mr. Stephen Kahunyo (Nairobi Ecosystem Conservator KFS) and Mr. Kamau Thuo (Karura Ward County Rep) -- see if you can find them in the photo!
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Karura Rainfall
More and more
A welcome burst of late November-early December rains just kept the year from being exceptionally dry after indifferent 'long rains' during March-May. But, in the long-term view, it wasn't a bad year - the forest looks great. A few points on the rain...
The 2013 total (ca. 1,070mm, 42") was actually a bit greater than the 50-year average of 974mm (38.3') (Chart 1).
Overall, since records began in 1945 (data from the Muthaiga Country Club), there has been a slight but statistically insignificant increase in rainfall. However, in recent years, say over the past two decades, there have been significant changes.
First, the annual average from 1996-2013 has increased by some 30 mm (1.1") compared to the 50-year average (Chart 1, solid and dashed blue lines).
Secondly, there has been since 1996 an average upward trend in annual rainfall (Chart 1, orange trend line).
 | | Chart 1: Annual rainfall |
Lastly, although the pattern of a 'long rains' (Mar-May) and 'short rains' (Oct-Nov) has remained constant, the amplitude of rain in both rainy seasons is markedly greater (Chart 2) by more than 100 mm in both seasons. The dry seasons, too, are slightly wetter.
 | | Chart 2: Monthly rainfall |
So, whether or not you subscribe to climate change, Karura is getting wetter.
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(Re-)Opening Northern Karura
Opportunities for biking, dog-walking
 | | Bikers at Gate "C" |
The northwestern part of Karura Forest in the Whispers area is best known for the stance Wangari Maathai and citizens made in 1999 against land-grabbing and illegal development. But the northeast, has been until recently largely neglected. Thanks to an enthusiastic group of trail bikers, trails such as Tara Path that have been heretofore rather optimistically shown on the Official Map, are being cleared and opened up by FKF Scouts and casuals for easy access to visitors. The plan is to have a number of exciting and challenging bike trails in the hilly area in the near future, with a point of payment and toilet facility (already completed) near Gate "C" off Kiambu road opposite Shark's Palace.
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Euphorbia & aloes
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For the walking naturalist, there are some exciting new finds. The area is obviously the driest part of the forest, and there are subtle vegetation changes, such as the appearance of euphorbias and aloes. Down in the Ruakla River valley, just upstream of the historic old Kiambu Road bridge dating from the 1920s, there is a large Papyrus swamp. The Industrial Insect Unit of ICIPE has been establishing several apiaries in the area under the auspices of KFS. These are now being consolidated to avoid clashes between visitors and bees. The locations will be added to map updates. Finally, it should be noted that most of Wangari Maathai Track (see Official Map) is designated as a dogs-off-leash area, giving your best friends a good two kilometres to race along. There will General access through Gate "C" on weekends only starting on a trail basis in January. The area is well worth a visit for bikers or energetic walkers and their dogs. |
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As we enter 2014, we have the portend of the merger of three Karura-relevant parastals -- the Kenya Forest Service, the Kenya Wildlife Service, and Kenya Water Towers Agency (along with conservation functions of the Nyayo Tea Zones Development Corporation) -- under one directorate.
Functionally, it would make sense to have the custodians of groundwater, plants and animals under one roof to manage common ecosystems in a coordinated way.
And if all the best parts of the agencies in terms of discipline, experience and knowledgebase are fused into one well-run body, without additional layers of bureaucracy, then it might be all for the best. We watch with hope...
Sincerely,
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The Board of Friends of Karura Forest
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Birds in Lily Lake swamp (L to R standing): three sacred ibis, grey heron, crowned crane, spur-winged goose, two crowned cranes. Did you spot the yellow-billed duck flying by? Why we keep dogs on-leash.
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Join the Friends of Karura Forest
Membership is open to all persons, organisations and corporations who support the FKF mission to protect, manage and enhance the Karura Forest Reserve.
Members enjoy reduced Annual Pass fees: click here to s ee the types of membership and view rates.
You can sign up at the KFEET (Karura Forest Environment Education Trust) Centre (the former BP-Shell Sports Club in the main forest), or stop by the FKF secretariat office in Muthaiga (address below).
Newsletter photos © Harvey Croze unless otherwise attributed.
KARURA FOREST - SECURE, SAFE, SERENE
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