The High Court has temporarily stopped the proposed construction of an airstrip, State Lodge and golf course in Imenti State Forest, Meru County, after issuing conservatory orders.
The court found that allowing the projects to proceed before a constitutional petition is heard could cause irreversible environmental damage and ordered that the status quo be maintained pending the determination of the case.
In a ruling delivered on July 30, the high court stopped the implementation of the projects after finding that allowing them to proceed could cause irreversible environmental harm.
“A conservatory order is issued to suspend the impugned projects, the airstrip, state lodge and golf course awaiting determination of the petition,” the judge ruled.
Court Issues Conservatory Orders On Imenti Forest
The case was filed challenging the planned developments within Imenti State Forest, with the petitioners raising concerns over the potential impact of the projects on the forest ecosystem.
In its ruling, the High Court issued conservatory orders preventing any construction, allocation, licensing, or excision until the petition is determined.
The orders mean that the State and any other parties involved in the planned developments cannot proceed with implementation measures that could alter the status of the forest.
High court noted that the environmental concerns raised in the petition required protection of the forest pending a full hearing, as any damage caused before the conclusion of the case could be difficult or impossible to reverse.
The petition will now proceed through the constitutional litigation process, where the court will consider the legality of the proposed developments and issues regarding environmental protection.
Petition Raises Concerns Over Forest Protection and Legal Compliance
The petitioners argued that Imenti Forest is an important ecological resource whose protection is safeguarded under Kenya’s environmental laws.
They questioned the approval process behind the proposed developments and raised concerns over whether all necessary legal procedures, including environmental assessments and public participation requirements, had been followed before the projects were allowed to advance.
Also Read: Govt Advances Plans to Construct an Airstrip Inside a Gazetted Forest
Construction of State Lodge in Imenti Forest
Early in September 2025, claims emerged that President William Ruto had directed the construction of a State Lodge and golf course inside Meru’s Imenti Forest.
In a letter dated 18 September 2025, the Green Belt Movement (GBM) demanded urgent clarification from Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi on the alleged plan.
The group warned that the proposal has stirred public uproar across social media and within communities that depend on the gazetted forest for their livelihoods.
GBM asked Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi to confirm whether any approvals or legal processes have been initiated to exercise part of the gazetted forest.
“The Green Belt Movement writes to you seeking urgent clarification on the alleged plan to excise part of Imenti Forest in Meru County to construct a State Lodge and a golf course,” read part of the GBM statement.
They argued that Imenti Forest is constitutionally protected and that any move to alter its boundaries must undergo full public participation and rigorous environmental assessment.
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