I woke up to a rude shock: a new fee notice posted at the Nairobi Arboretum gate, without warning, and not even on the official website.

The Arboretum has long been a sanctuary for the tired, the sick, the young, and the poor. It is where elders walk to heal. Children run to learn. Students come to reflect or reconnect with peace. It’s a quiet, affordable place for recovery and restoration.

But as of 26 May 2025, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) raised entry fees dramatically:

Kenyan adults: from KES 100 to KES 242 (+142%)
Children: from KES 50 to KES 63 (+26%)
Residents & Non-residents: hikes of up to 139%
All this, with no public participation.
No membership pass.
No student or elder discounts.
And every payment includes a daily eCitizen surcharge, with no opt-out or alternative.

This move turns a public sanctuary into a toll gate, pricing out those who need it most. Those in recovery. Those with limited income. Those who come not for luxury, but for healing.

And all this unfolds in the shadow of State House, where those in power enjoy nature freely, while the people who elected them are charged to breathe.

As Professor Wangari Maathai once said:

“You cannot protect the environment unless you empower people... and help them understand that these resources are their own.”

🙏🏾 What We Are Demanding:
✅ Reinstate citizen-friendly rates (KES 100 adults, KES 50 children)
✅ Introduce fair passes or memberships for regular users
✅ Provide access concessions for students, elders, and people in recovery
✅ Center equity in all forest access decisions going forward

The forest is medicine and memory to many. Let’s honor Wangari’s legacy by keeping it in the hands of the people.