Behind the Scenes

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History

On January 8, 1999, Prof. Wangari Maathai led a historic protest against deforestation and land grabbing in Karura Forest, successfully stopping the developer-led destruction. However, by 2008, the forest had become known for criminal activities, largely driven by socio-economic challenges faced by nearby communities.

On April 2, 2008, after extensive efforts by Alice Macaire, wife of the British High Commissioner Rob Macaire, a meeting between the Kenya Forest Service, Friends of Karura Forest, UNEP, and community representatives launched the "Karura Forest Safe and Secure" initiative. This initiative later developed into the Friends of Karura Forest Community Forest Association, dedicated to transforming the forest into a protected public space that also provided employment opportunities for local communities.

Prof. Maathai served as Honorary Chair (later Patron) of the initiative, promoting conservation and environmental education for all visitors. Around this time, Shell Kenya, facing safety concerns, agreed to convert their adjacent sports club into an environmental education center. The Ministries of Lands, Environment, and Forestry, along with UNEP under the leadership of Dr. Achim Steiner, lent strong support to this transformation.

On October 16, 2010, the Karura Forest Environmental Education Trust (KFEET) was officially established. Founding members included Jimmy Mugerwa representing Shell Kenya, Prof. Wangari Maathai for the Green Belt Movement, Alice Macaire for Friends of Karura Forest, D.K. Mbugua for Kenya Forest Service, and Rajesh Devchand Shah for Oshwal Education & Relief Board. Prof. Maathai was appointed the inaugural Chair of the Trust.

The Trustees appointed Rajesh Devchand Shah as Chair of the Managing Committee, tasked with overseeing and managing the operations of the new education center.

Behind the Scenes – The People

The Management Committee

The Managing Committee of the Karura Forest Environmental Education Trust (KFEET) is made up of dedicated volunteers who contribute their time, expertise, and passion to bring the vision of the Environmental Education Centre to life and ensure its sustainability. Their efforts create a lasting legacy that will inspire and educate future generations of environmental stewards.

Rajesh Devchand Shah, EBS – Chairman

Rajesh is an experienced leader with deep roots in philanthropy, community service, and environmental advocacy. As Chairman, he plays a crucial role in guiding KFEET's strategy and ensuring its mission of conservation and education stays on track. His ability to unite diverse stakeholders and manage complex relationships has been key to the Trust's continued success.

Angela Munyua – Hon. Secretary

Angela serves as the organizational backbone of KFEET, managing administrative tasks and ensuring smooth operations. Known for her dedication to environmental causes, Angela ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and her personal belief in environmental education drives her work.

Shashi Z. Shah – Treasurer

Shashi is a well-regarded chartered accountant who is responsible for managing the financial health of KFEET. His oversight of budgets and funding ensures that the Trust's resources are effectively allocated to achieve its goals.

Committee Members

Nilesh Shah

Nilesh is a Chartered Surveyor who brings his expertise in business, green spaces, and community service to the committee. His focus on sustainability and strong network of contacts make him an invaluable asset, playing a key role in KFEET's long-term success.

Alice Macaire

A founding member of Friends of Karura Forest CFA, and this initiative, Alice has been a key player in the transformation of the forest and the sports club into the Environmental Education Centre. Her vision for a much-loved public amenity providing joy to its visitors, and employment, choices and self-respect to the residents of the neighbouring disadvantaged communities, plus education to the young, have been instrumental in the Karura Forest Environmental Education Centre and Friends of Karura Forest CFA’s success.

Cristina Boelcke -Croze

Cristina bridges the goals of both KFEET and Friends of Karura Forest CFA where she is Vice Chairman. She brings with her experience drawn from a career at UNEP and is a passionate environmentalist advocating for the protection and enrichment of the forest, its natural inhabitants, and the enjoyment and safety of its visitors. Cristina has witnessed first-hand, the forest at its worst and now best, and has dedicated herself to ensuring both KFEET and FKF CFA initiatives go from strength to strength.

Wanjiku Mate

Wanjiku is a committed educationist and environmentalist with a history of involvement in green initiatives. Her belief in the power of environmental education, combined with her strategic thinking and hands-on approach, drives her efforts to connect young people with nature.

Charity Mithoni Munyasa

As a founding member, Charity, of the Kenya Forest Service, is a crucial link between KFS and KFEET. Her dedication to her role at KFS as conservation officer for Karura Forest, and leadership around many obstacles in her determination to improve and protect the forest, both for its own sake but also for the well-being of the KF Rangers that come under her responsibility, made the success of the aims of both FKF cfa and KFEET possible. Now Deputy Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) she ensures that the Trust's initiatives align with national conservation goals, making her an essential custodian of Kenya's green spaces.

We are proud to be fulfilling Professor Wangari Maathai’s dream – That every visitor to this glorious forest should have the opportunity to recognise that whilst it brings us such great joy, Karura Forest, and all forests of the world, need our respect and protection and we have much to learn from them.

Rajesh Devchand Shah

EBS – Chairman

Heroes

Dr. Achim Steiner

Ahmet Erdem

Alice Macaire

Catherine Musakali

Charity M. Munyasya

Christian Lambrechts

Cristina Boelke-Croze

Jimmy Mugerwa

John Chege

Prof Karanja Njoroge

Rajesh Devchand Shah

Sam Owino

Late Prof. Wangari Maathai

The Karura Forest Environmental Education Trust — KFEET — was established in 2010 to promote environmental education and provide a centre for learning about forest ecosystems.