Karura, a 1,000-hectare forest reserve, has been a green space for Nairobi residents since the 1990s when Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai championed its conservation.
The gated property with manicured lawns, offices and tight security was acquired under controversial circumstances as an official office for retired presidents.
Legislators—past and present—have described the institution as a marketplace where deals are made and financial interests trump citizens’ welfare.