By Erestinah Jane | July 7, 2026
The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has invited members of the public and stakeholders to submit comments on a proposed airstrip to be constructed within the gazetted Upper Imenti Forest in Meru County, as debate over the project continues amid ongoing court proceedings.
In a public notice issued today, KFS announced that the public has until July 21, 2026, to submit written memoranda, comments and recommendations on the proposed development, which would be located at the Upper Imenti Forest (Meru Forest Station).
The agency said the proposed airstrip and related infrastructure are intended to improve access for forest management operations, emergency response and regional development.
“The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) proposes to construct an airstrip and ancillary infrastructure at Upper Imenti Forest (Meru Forest Station) to enhance aviation access for forest management, emergency response, and regional economic development,” the notice states.
According to KFS, the proposed project would occupy approximately 11 hectares (27.2 acres) within the Kithoka Beat section of the forest. The agency said preliminary site investigations, including wind assessments, found the location suitable for the planned development.
KFS further stated that the selected site is largely characterized by sparse vegetation, arguing that the project is expected to have minimal ecological disruption compared to other sections of the forest. The proposal is accompanied by an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), which has been made available for public review as part of the consultation process.
The invitation for public participation has, however, generated criticism from environmental conservation groups and activists, who argue that preliminary works had allegedly begun before the consultation process was formally announced. Critics contend that public participation should have preceded any preparatory activities and have questioned the timing of the consultation exercise.
The project is also the subject of an ongoing legal dispute before the Meru Environment and Land Court. Conservatory orders issued by the court currently bar the excision of land within Upper Imenti Forest pending the hearing and determination of several petitions challenging the proposed developments.
The petitions reportedly question the legality of the proposed airstrip as well as other planned projects within the forest, including a proposed State Lodge and a golf course. Justice Oguttu Mboya has extended the conservatory orders until July 21, 2026, the same date on which the public participation period is scheduled to close.
The overlapping timelines mean that both the court proceedings and the public consultation process are expected to reach significant milestones on the same day, with the court set to consider the petitions while KFS concludes the collection of public views.
KFS has encouraged members of the public, environmental organisations and other interested stakeholders to examine the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment documents before submitting their views. Written memoranda may be delivered to the County Forest Conservator’s Office in Meru Town or submitted through the agency’s official online portal before the consultation deadline.
The proposed airstrip has become one of the most closely watched environmental projects in recent months, highlighting the continuing debate over balancing infrastructure development with environmental conservation. The outcome of both the public participation process and the pending court cases is expected to play a key role in determining whether the project proceeds.
