I&M Bank and I&M Foundation have come out to set the record straight, saying they were not aware of any form of construction of an alleged hotel or cottages inside Ngong Forest. I&M Foundation has been at the forefront of conserving Ngong Forest, investing more than 160 million shillings.
The statement from I&M Foundation comes a few days after social media, especially X (Twitter), went up in flames after it emerged that a hotel was “secretly” being constructed inside the forest, away from the public eye, forcing the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to issue a statement.
“Both I&M Foundation and I&M Bank would like to categorically state that they were not aware of or have any association with the alleged hospitality development at the centre of the discussions on social media and media outlets… I&M Foundation reaffirms its commitment to transparency and environmental responsibility and will continue working with stakeholders to ensure this project delivers lasting conservation value for both people and planet,” said the Foundation in a firm statement.
According to the Foundation, Project Imarisha Ngong’s Road Forest is a non-commercial, community-centered environmental initiative launched in May 2024 to restore degraded forest land, conserve biodiversity, and create inclusive green spaces that support public wellbeing and climate resilience. It is being implemented in consultation with local communities and in full alignment with environmental regulations.
Before the project kick-off, I&M Foundation and the Kenya Forest Service undertook public participation initiatives over 3 months in consultation with the Ngong Road Community Forest Association as well as local administrations in Langata, Dagoretti South, and Kibera sub-counties. This project is funded by I&M Foundation, which in turn is sustained by an annual endowment from I&M Bank Limited.
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