A community-based conservancy group, Empakase Conservation, is set to build a ‘dinosaur-themed ‘ lodge within the Oloolua forest in Kajiado County, which has recently been hit by a spate of protests over alleged invasion by some land grabbers.
Empakase Conservation claimed it has been granted a special permit by the Kenya Forestry Services (KFS) for the project at the Murunya camp site.
“The development has been conceived around a conservation-first approach. The principal design commitment is a zero-tree-cutting target, supported by elevated structures, raised boardwalks, utilisation of existing clearings, root-protection measures and reversible construction methods,” the group said.
It said the development will comprise several complementary low-impact ecotourism and visitor-support facilities, including a robotic dinosaur theme park, museum and interpretation centre, eco-restaurant and kitchen, raised tented eco-cottages, children’s recreational facilities, and picnic areas.
The lodge will also have eco-toilets, administration and ticketing facilities, parking and drop-off areas, nature and dinosaur trails, associated utility infrastructure and an indigenous tree nursery.
“The proposed development is to be undertaken within a gazetted forest environment and will therefore be implemented under a conservation-led approach, with particular emphasis on protection of the existing forest ecosystem,” Empakase Conservation said.
“Unlike conventional tourism developments, the proposed facility is intended to use the existing Oloolua Forest as the principal attraction rather than replacing or substantially modifying it. The concept is therefore based on the principle of a “forest-led destination”, in which the built components are sensitively integrated into the existing forest environment,” it added.
The group said the project seeks to contribute directly to forest conservation through establishment and operation of an indigenous tree nursery with a proposed capacity of approximately 500,000 seedlings and rehabilitation of not less than 15.26 acres of Oloolua forest.
The Oloolua forest has been a sensitive subject with frequent protests held against suspected land grabbers. For instance, communities living near Oloolua Forest in March 2024 protested against the alleged grabbing of 66 acres of forest land near the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority, which the Kenya Forest Service denied.
The KFS, however, denied the land grab claims by the communities around the forest.
“Following public concerns regarding alleged grabbing of a parcel of Oloolua Forest in Kajiado County, L.R no. 23269, Kenya Forest Service seeks to make a clarification on the matter. The portion of land in question is currently occupied by four government agencies. There is absolutely no individual who has been allocated land within Oloolua Forest,” KFS said following the community protests in March 2024.
