The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) is set to meet officials from Muthaiga Golf Club to discuss a long-running dispute over a section of land near Karura Forest.

KFS says about 21.8 hectares of the land claimed by the golf club fall within the legally gazetted Karura Forest.

The disputed property is identified as Land Reference Number 13134/3, which Muthaiga Golf Club claims to own. The disagreement has raised questions over the exact boundary between the golf course and the forest.

KFS maintains that Karura Forest was surveyed in the early 1920s, with the survey registered in 1923.

The forest was later declared a Forest Reserve in 1932 before being gazetted as a Central Forest in 1964.

The dispute has already affected access to part of the golf course. KFS has maintained restrictions on the Front Nine section, covering holes two to nine, because it considers the area part of the gazetted forest.

The forest agency has rejected claims that it unlawfully took over private property. Instead, it insists that the disputed section forms part of land legally reserved as Karura Forest.

The upcoming meeting is expected to bring the two sides together to examine the competing ownership and boundary claims.

Historical records have previously raised questions about sections of the Karura Forest boundary, including the area around the Getathuru River.

Both sides may therefore need to examine old survey plans, boundary records and land documents to establish the correct position of the disputed boundary.

KFS and Muthaiga Golf Club are expected to seek an amicable solution during their meeting.

The outcome could determine whether the two sides reach an agreement or whether the dispute will require further intervention by relevant land and government authorities.