NAIROBI, Kenya, June 24 – The Environment and Land Court in Meru has suspended plans to construct a State Lodge, airstrip and golf course in the Upper Imenti Forest pending the hearing and determination of a case challenging the project.
In a ruling, Justice Oguttu Mboya barred the County Government of Meru, the Kenya Forest Service and other respondents from proceeding with the developments until the matter is fully heard.
“Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of this Application, a temporary conservatory order and injunction be issued restraining the Respondents, whether by themselves, their servants, agents, employees, contractors or any other person acting under their authority, from excising, allocating, alienating, surveying, leasing, licensing, clearing, constructing upon, developing or otherwise interfering with any portion of Imenti Forest for purposes of constructing or facilitating an airstrip, State Lodge, golf course or related facilities,” the judge ruled.
The orders followed a petition filed by conservation lobby Rhino Ark Charitable Trust, which opposed the proposed developments, arguing that they could threaten a key wildlife habitat within the Mount Kenya ecosystem.
According to Rhino Ark Chief Executive Officer Christian Lambrechts, the Upper Imenti Forest serves as an important elephant habitat and wildlife corridor linking the Mount Kenya forest ecosystem with northern conservation areas, including Shaba National Reserve.
The organisation also raised concerns over the potential impact on water resources. The Mount Kenya ecosystem is one of the country’s major water towers, while the Upper Imenti Forest lies along the hydrological divide between the Tana and Ewaso Nyiro river catchments.
Rhino Ark noted that the forest is home to 882 plant species, including 81 endemic species, and is recognised as an Important Bird Area hosting 53 of Kenya’s 67 African highland bird species.
The lobby group argued that the project could conflict with national conservation policies, including Kenya Vision 2030, the National Spatial Plan 2015–2045, the Forest Conservation and Management Act and the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act.
It also warned that the developments could undermine Kenya’s target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032 and affect commitments under international environmental agreements.
As an alternative, Rhino Ark proposed the upgrading of the nearby Gaitu Airstrip, located about 14 kilometres from Meru town, saying it would provide similar benefits without affecting the forest ecosystem.
Justice Mboya further directed the respondents to file within 14 days all approvals, environmental impact assessment reports, licences, permits, maps, feasibility studies, public participation records and other documents related to the proposed project.
“The Respondents be directed to disclose and file in Court within fourteen (14) days all approvals, Environmental Impact Assessment Reports, licences, permits, maps, acreage surveys, feasibility studies, public participation records, agreements and all documents relating to the proposed project,” the judge ordered.
The court also authorised an inspection of the affected sections of the forest by the parties and any experts appointed by the court to prepare a status report.
