The Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) has condemned the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Kenya) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli over his recent remarks backing the expansion of Kenya’s capital into the Nairobi National Park.
In a statement on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the institution stated that Atwoli’s proposal to invade the national park undermines years of conservation efforts.
“Proposing its destruction for speculative development directly contradicts Kenya’s commitments to sustainable development and environmental protection, including obligations under Article 42 and Article 69 of the Constitution of Kenya, which guarantee every person the right to a clean and healthy environment and place a duty on the state to sustainably manage natural resources,” read the statement in part.
Furthermore, the body stated that his remarks contradict the government’s efforts in natural resource management, including the establishment of the Nairobi Rivers Commission and the growing need to document the natural capital values of Kenya and leverage them for climate change funds.
“Atwoli’s statement evokes disturbing echoes of past, careless suggestions, such as a 2018 proposal by a politician to relocate a river rather than demolish buildings illegally erected on riparian land. These utterances reflect a broader and growing disregard for environmental governance, land use planning, and respect for natural heritage,” they added.
Atwoli’s remarks
On June 22, 2025, Atwoli called on Kenyans to support the expansion of Nairobi City, even if it means using land in protected areas like the Nairobi National Park.
He was speaking after a report aired on a local media outlet about the rejection of a proposed railway project by local residents. Atwoli stressed the urgent need to meet the growing demand for housing and infrastructure in Kenya’s capital.
“In any developing world, people construct in the forest, people do whatever they can do,” he said. “You can’t say I’m keeping this tree here when development is taking place. The population of Nairobi is growing.”
He further argued that the population in Nairobi had increased and needed more infrastructure to match the demand.
“When we were young, people in Nairobi were about 200,000 only in the city of Nairobi. Now, Nairobi hosts almost 15 million people, and it cannot continue to be the same.”
ISK now states that there is a need for the country to adopt and strictly enforce sustainable land use principles, as outlined under SDG 15: Life on Land. This goal calls for the sustainable management of forests, halting desertification, reversing land degradation, and preserving biodiversity.
Furthermore, the body is urging the media fraternity to consult qualified professionals and experts in land use, environment, and planning when reporting on or seeking commentary on matters related to land, urban development, and environmental management.
It has also proposed the need to invest in mapping the country and uphold zoning regulations, spatial development plans, and environmental laws nationwide.
Adherence to approved land use plans, such as county spatial plans, metropolitan plans, and conservation zoning frameworks, is crucial in preserving the integrity of our environment and promoting orderly development.
