The Environment and Land Court in Meru has issued a temporary injunction stopping proposed developments in Imenti Forest. The ruling affects plans to build an airstrip, State Lodge, golf course, and associated infrastructure within the protected forest.
The court ordered consolidation of five petitions challenging the projects, including one filed by the Green Belt Movement (GBM) and legal advocacy group JustAct. The move aims to streamline legal proceedings and ensure a thorough examination of the environmental and constitutional issues raised.
Environmental Groups Welcome Ruling
GBM and JustAct praised the decision as a significant affirmation of Kenya's constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment. In a joint statement, the two organisations emphasized that development must respect statutory requirements such as public participation, environmental safeguards, and due process.
"Development projects affecting protected public forests must comply fully with constitutional and statutory requirements," the statement said, adding that infrastructure should not come at the expense of Kenya's gazetted forests when sustainable alternatives exist.
Importance of Imenti Forest
The groups described Imenti Forest as a vital ecosystem offering critical services including water catchment protection, biodiversity conservation, and climate regulation. They warned that once destroyed, such natural systems cannot be easily restored through engineering or infrastructure investments.
GBM and JustAct urged public institutions managing Kenya's forests to uphold environmental laws and subject proposed projects to rigorous legal and scientific scrutiny before approval.
Support for Conservation Efforts
The organisations also commended citizens, conservationists, and community members advocating peacefully and lawfully for forest protection.
This ruling underscores the judiciary's role in balancing development needs with environmental conservation, ensuring that Kenya's natural heritage is preserved for future generations.
