Protect Imenti Forest: Development Must Not Destroy Nature
PROTECT IMЕNTI FOREST: DEVELOPMENT MUST NOT DESTROY NATURE
Did you know what is being proposed around Imenti Forest?
Reports and ongoing court proceedings concerning Upper Imenti Forest in Meru County have brought National attention to proposals involving a State Lodge, airstrip or airport and golf course, alongside other infrastructure proposals.
These developments have raised important questions about the future of the forest, environmental protection, public participation and how Kenya can pursue development while safeguarding important ecosystems.
Team Climate Change Naivasha (TCCN) believes these questions deserve informed public attention.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS
Environmental decisions should not be left to a few people.
Citizens, environmental organizations, scientists, local communities and other stakeholders have a legitimate interest in understanding proposals that may affect important ecosystems.
Your questions, comments, submissions, participation and informed public statements can contribute to transparent environmental decision-making.
TCCN therefore encourages the public to learn what is being proposed, ask for evidence and publicly available project information, participate in legitimate public-participation processes, support compliance with environmental and constitutional safeguards, and speak up for the protection of critical forest ecosystems.
WHAT IS THE CURRENT LEGAL POSITION?
In June 2026, the Environment and Land Court at Meru issued interim orders concerning activities affecting Imenti Forest in proceedings challenging proposed developments in the forest. Subsequent proceedings included conservatory orders concerning the proposed State Lodge, airstrip or airport and golf course.
The court proceedings are important because they concern whether and how developments affecting the forest should proceed while the legal and environmental questions are being considered.
The government side has also presented its position in court regarding the proposed developments and the applicable statutory and constitutional safeguards.
TCCN believes that ongoing judicial processes should be respected and that environmental decision-making should remain transparent, evidence-based and open to meaningful public participation.
WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT IMЕNTI FOREST?
Forests are more than collections of trees.
They provide important ecological functions, including water regulation and catchment protection, carbon storage and climate regulation, habitat for biodiversity, soil and ecosystem protection, wildlife habitat and ecological connectivity, and climate resilience for surrounding communities and ecosystems.
Imenti Forest is also part of the wider Mount Kenya ecosystem, making decisions affecting the forest relevant beyond the immediate area.
When decisions are made about forest land, environmental costs and benefits should therefore be considered alongside economic and infrastructure objectives.
DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION
TCCN is not opposed to development.
Kenya needs infrastructure, investment, employment and improved public services.
Our position is that development should be planned and implemented in a manner that protects critical ecosystems and respects environmental law.
Where a proposed development could affect a protected or ecologically important forest, decisionmakers should ask:
Is the project necessary?
Can the same objective be achieved somewhere else?
What will be the ecological impact?
What alternatives have been considered?
Has meaningful public participation taken place?
Are all required environmental and legal safeguards being followed?
These are reasonable questions for any major development affecting natural ecosystems.
TCCN CALLS FOR
Team Climate Change Naivasha calls for the protection of the ecological integrity of Imenti Forest; full respect for existing court orders and ongoing judicial proceedings; transparent disclosure of relevant project information to the public; rigorous environmental assessment of any development that could significantly affect the forest; meaningful and accessible public participation before decisions affecting the forest are made; serious consideration of alternative sites where development objectives can be achieved with lower environmental impacts; independent scientific consideration of biodiversity, water, climate and ecosystem impacts; and protection and restoration of degraded forest areas.
THIS IS WHERE YOUR VOICE COMES IN
You do not need to be a lawyer, scientist or environmental expert to care about the future of Kenya's forests.
You can learn, ask questions, participate, share verified information and encourage responsible decision-making.
The future of our natural heritage should be shaped by evidence, law, science, transparency and meaningful public participation.
PROTECT IMЕNTI FOREST
Development should work with nature — not undermine the ecosystems upon which our future depends.
LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED
Visit Team Climate Change Naivasha:
https://teamclimatechangenaivasha.org/
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SOURCES AND FURTHER READING
TCCN encourages readers to consult the underlying legal and environmental information and form their own informed views.
Environment and Land Court at Meru — 2026
Court proceedings concerning proposed developments in Imenti Forest have included applications and orders relating to the proposed airstrip or airport, State Lodge and golf course.
East Africa Wildlife Society (EAWLS) v Kenya Forest Service & 8 others, [2026] KEELC 5060 (KLR)
https://sheriahub.com/cases/ke/caselaw/east-africa-wildlife-life-society-eawls-v-kenya-forest-service-8-others-2026-keelc-5060-klr
Forum & another v Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing & Urban Development & 4 others, [2026] KEELC 5226 (KLR)
https://sheriahub.com/cases/ke/caselaw/forum-another-v-cabinet-secretary-ministry-of-lands-public-works-housing-urban-development-4-others-2026-keelc-5226-klr
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
NEMA provides information on Kenya's Environmental Impact Assessment framework and environmental assessment requirements.
https://nema.go.ke/services/environment-impact-assessment-eia/
MOUNT KENYA TRUST
Mount Kenya Trust has documented restoration and conservation work in Imenti Forest, including restoration of degraded areas and efforts to strengthen ecological connectivity and community-based forest management.
https://www.mountkenyatrust.org/
NOTE FROM TCCN
This article is an environmental advocacy publication by Team Climate Change Naivasha.
It is intended to encourage informed public discussion, environmental responsibility and meaningful participation in decisions affecting natural ecosystems.
Where matters remain before the courts or are disputed by different parties, TCCN distinguishes between proposals, allegations, court findings and established facts.
Readers are encouraged to consult the original court documents and official environmental information before drawing conclusions.
Team Climate Change Naivasha (TCCN)
Empowering Communities. Conserving Nature.
Healthy Wealthy Society
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