By Erestinah Jane | July 8, 2026
The Meru Environment and Land Court has extended conservatory orders halting the proposed construction of a State Lodge, an airstrip and a golf course within the ecologically sensitive Upper Imenti Forest, pending the hearing and determination of petitions challenging the developments.
In orders issued by Justice Oguttu Mboya, the court directed that the status quo be maintained, effectively stopping any clearing, surveying, leasing or construction activities in the affected sections of the gazetted public forest until the matter is heard.
The conservatory orders restrain the Meru County Government, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and any other parties acting on their behalf from undertaking activities related to the proposed projects.
The ruling comes amid growing opposition from local residents and environmental conservation groups, who have questioned the legality and environmental impact of the proposed developments.
As part of the court’s directions, Justice Mboya ordered the respondents to file and submit within 14 days all relevant project documentation, including feasibility studies, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports, statutory approvals, permits and records of public participation associated with the developments.
The court also granted the petitioners and independent environmental experts permission to inspect the affected sections of the forest and prepare an independent status report to assist the court during the hearing of the case.
The legal battle follows concerns raised after the Kenya Forest Service initiated a public participation exercise on the proposed airstrip project while litigation over the developments was already before the court. Some conservation groups argued that the consultation came after preliminary activities had allegedly begun, questioning whether the public participation process had been undertaken at the appropriate stage.
The petitions before the court were filed by local residents, including Charles Mutuma Mbogori and Mugambi Imanyara, alongside environmental organisations such as the Rhino Ark Charitable Trust and the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance. The petitioners are seeking to stop the proposed projects, arguing that they pose significant environmental risks and should not proceed without full compliance with constitutional and environmental safeguards.
Conservation groups have expressed concern that the proposed developments could affect wildlife habitats, water catchment areas and culturally significant sites within the Upper Imenti Forest. Some environmental lobby groups have argued that sections of the proposed project area lie within an important elephant migratory corridor and form part of a wider ecosystem that supports numerous rivers and streams serving surrounding communities.
The petitioners have further alleged that heavy machinery and workers had entered parts of the Kithoka section of the forest before the court reinforced its conservatory orders. These claims remain part of the issues under judicial consideration.
The case has attracted national attention as it highlights the continuing debate between infrastructure expansion and environmental conservation. Environmentalists have called for strict adherence to environmental laws, while government agencies have maintained that any proposed developments must undergo the necessary legal and regulatory processes before implementation.
The matter is expected to return to court after the filing of the required documents and the independent inspection report, with the conservatory orders remaining in force until further directions are issued by the court.
