The Environment and Land Court has issued a temporary suspension on the construction of an airstrip, state lodge, and golf course within the protected Imenti Forest. This decision follows a petition filed by activist Francis Awino and others challenging the developments on grounds of environmental harm.
Justice Oguttu Mboya emphasized that proceeding with the projects could cause irreversible damage to the forest ecosystem and undermine the legal process if the petition succeeds. The court consolidated five related petitions, including one from the Green Belt Movement (GBM) and JustAct, to be heard together for a comprehensive resolution.
Conservation Groups Applaud Ruling
Both GBM and JustAct praised the court's ruling, highlighting it as a reaffirmation of constitutional rights and environmental laws. They stressed the importance of meaningful public participation, adherence to environmental safeguards, and due process in any development affecting protected forest areas.
These organizations described Imenti Forest as a vital ecosystem that supports water catchment, biodiversity, and climate regulation. They cautioned that such natural systems, once damaged, cannot be replaced by infrastructure projects.
Balancing Development and Environmental Stewardship
While not opposing development, the groups urged that infrastructure projects must be responsibly planned to avoid compromising gazetted forests when sustainable alternatives exist. They underscored that true progress requires balancing economic growth with the protection of natural resources for current and future generations.
The ruling offers an opportunity for all stakeholders to uphold environmental laws and subject proposed projects to rigorous legal and scientific review before implementation. The conservationists also called on public institutions to manage Kenya's natural heritage responsibly and in line with constitutional mandates.
They commended citizens and community members advocating peacefully for forest protection, emphasizing that Kenya’s natural heritage belongs to all and must be sustainably managed.
