NAIROBI, KENYA — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has escalated his criticisms of President William Ruto, now alleging the president’s involvement in the construction of a high-end camping site within the Sanctuary block of Ngong Road Forest.
During a church service in Murang’a, Gachagua asserted that the contentious camping facility is owned by Ruto, who he claims unlawfully acquired the land to profit from the upcoming completion of the Talanta Sports Stadium, also known as Talanta Sports City along Ngong Road.
“The president is the one who wants to take 5 acres in Ngong Forest so that he can construct a hotel. The construction will be done by the contractor building the Talanta Hela Stadium so that it serves the stadium,” Gachagua stated. He further claimed that after he began to publicize the president’s alleged clandestine dealings, Ruto instructed the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to halt the construction.
“So Mr. President do not attempt to go back to that forest, we will expose you again. That is our work now, I get reports even from people in government because they are also tired,” he remarked.
“He has grabbed land in Naivasha, Narok, this forest, he has constructed a hotel in Meru, and the only road being constructed there is heading to the hotel.”
These accusations have surfaced amid growing public concern regarding the concealed construction of the facility, with the Green Belt Movement (GBM) demanding immediate clarification from KFS, emphasizing the potential hazards of encroaching on protected forests.
In response, KFS clarified that the facility, a bush eco-camp, was established following a thorough approval process. “The project to develop a bush eco–camp was approved procedurally, having been assessed, and no extreme negative environmental impacts were identified,” KFS stated in a press release.
KFS also specified that the camp is being built on a glade—a natural clearing within a forest characterized by bushes and grass rather than trees—and that no trees have been felled.
Furthermore, KFS has suspended all activities on the site pending further consultations with stakeholders.
