Petition to roll back fee increase at Nairobi Arboretum gains traction
by Piyush Mathur
A petition opposing the sharp increase in entry fees at the Nairobi Arboretum has gained significant public support since it was launched by Gregory Mwendwa on May 30, 2025. The online campaign, hosted on Change.org, urges the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to reverse the revised rates that took effect on May 26, 2025.
According to a public notice posted by KFS, the new fees are based on Legal Notice No. 21 of 2016, the Forest (Fees & Charges) Rules, 2016—and adhere to ‘the gazetted rates under the Forest Conservation and Management Act (FCMA) No. 34 of 2016.’ Under the revised structure, Kenyan and East African Community (EAC) citizens are now required to pay KES 242 for adult entry and KES 63 for children aged 3–13. Residents face a charge of KES 479 for adults and KES 121 for children, while non-residents are subject to fees of KES 716 and KES 179, respectively.
This is a screenshot of a digital photo of Kenya Forest Service’s notice regarding a hike in the fees for entering the Nairobi Arboretum; the photo is part of Gregory Mwendwa’s petition on Change.org to roll back the hike.
The hike has sparked a backlash, particularly among Nairobi residents who frequent the Arboretum for recreational activities. Mwendwa’s petition argues that the increase disproportionately affects low-income citizens and undermines the Arboretum's role as an accessible green space in the heart of the city.
The petition notes that the new fees represent steep hikes—from KES 100 to 242 for Kenyan adults (a 142% increase), and up to 139% for residents and non-residents—introduced without public participation. It also criticises the absence of membership passes, student or elder discounts, and the mandatory daily eCitizen surcharge with no opt-out.
These changes, the petition argues, turn a public sanctuary into a ‘toll gate,’ pricing out vulnerable groups who rely on the Arboretum for healing and refuge. The petition also voices concern about the lack of public engagement in the decision to raise fees.
While KFS’ notice maintains, in its fine-print NB, that the fees are in line with gazetted regulations and include VAT and eCitizen platform convenience charges, many believe the move reflects a broader trend of commodifying public spaces; others argue that it imposes an unfair barrier for ordinary Kenyans.
The petition calls on the KFS to reinstate the previous citizen-friendly rates of KES 100 for adults and KES 50 for children—and introduce fair membership passes for regular visitors, along with discounted access for students, elders, and recovering patients.
As of this writing, the petition has gathered over 2050 signatures and continues to circulate widely on social media platforms, especially LinkedIn. The KFS has yet to issue a formal response to the petition.
Mwendwa’s LinkedIn profile suggests that he is a communication consultant and civic leader.