If there was any official plan for the expansion of the city, it appears to have been abandoned in recent years. What is evident is a haphazard growth that for all intents and purposes has commercial interest as the overriding factor.

Not surprisingly, many new developments have stirred anger and indignation among the public where they ought to have been a welcome answer to the demand for shelter. Not surprisingly, too, those behind some of these developments have been forced to make tactical retreats, suspending their plans. Few, however, have been forced to totally abandon such projects.

This is the trend that has emerged as development has encroached on the few indigenous forests that once formed part of Nairobi's beautiful landscape. The latest target is the Karura Forest. As a matter of fact, Karura has been targeted for nearly 10 years now.

Three years ago, people living around this forest and groups of environmentalists got wind of plans to hive off part of it for a housing estate. Media coverage of their protests forced the party concerned to shelve the plans. Now those behind the housing project are back, armed as it were with the right backing.

As a Nation report revealed, scores of trees have been felled and work is at an advanced stage in clearing part of the forest for the revived project. And this time all protest is falling on deaf ears. The Chief Conservator of Forests has not found it necessary to shed light on the development. The Ministry of Lands, not known for being forthcoming on matters of this nature, is tight-lipped and inactive.

It is this attitude that brings into sharp contradiction the government's stated policy on conservation. Secondly, it gives the impression of a Government being least concerned about unsystematic development and expansion of our urban areas.

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