Also known as: Imenti Forest Reserve · Upper Imenti Forest Reserve · Upper Imenti Forest · Imenti Forest in Meru County
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Citizen Digital
Courts sets July 30 for ruling on construction of State lodge in Imenti forest By Dzuya Walter July 21, 2026 02:41 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Audio By Vocalize The High Court will on July 30 deliver it …
Courts sets July 30 for ruling on construction of State lodge in Imenti forestCapital News
NAIROBI, Kenya, July 21 – The fate of proposed developments in Upper Imenti Forest will be determined on July 30 when the High Court rules on an application seeking to suspend plans for an airstrip, State Lodge, golf course and road expansion. …
High Court to rule on bid to halt Upper Imenti Forest developments on July 30Citizen Digital
… In June 2026, a case was filed before the Environment and Land Court seeking to stop any planned developments within Imenti Forest, citing threats from government-proposed projects including an airstrip, golf course and a State Lodge. …
Ruto to critics: Ksh.40 billion projects lined up for Meru, what is Ksh.80 million State lodge?The Standard
… The residents had gathered to give their views on the proposed construction of Imenti State Lodge, Airstrip and golf course inside Imenti Forest. …
Public participation forum on Imenti Forest project was a shamCitizen Digital
Construction begins on Imenti Forest airstrip despite court orders By Serfine Achieng July 11, 2026 11:16 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Audio By Vocalize The controversy surrounding the proposed construct …
Construction begins on Imenti Forest airstrip despite court ordersThe Standard
… In Imenti Forest, public consultations on the State lodge, golf course and airstrip took place after key decisions were made. …
Why courts are the last line of defence for our environmentCitizen Digital
… They also opposed the ongoing construction of an airstrip, State Lodge and golf course within Upper Imenti Forest, warning that the developments threaten one of Kenya's key water towers and biodiversity hotspots. …
Conservationists fault Gov't over contradictory push to plant 15 billion trees while 'clearing' forestsThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeSophia Karamuta, a fence attendant at Imenti Forest in Meru County. …
Imenti Forest: Public participation forum shouldn't be a rubber-stamping exerciseThe Standard
… They also cited ongoing construction of an airstrip, a state lodge and a golf course within Imenti Forest as part of a wider pattern threatening the country's green spaces. …
Conservationists demand halt to Kenya forest excisionsCitizen Digital
… In June this year, a case was filed seeking to stop any planned developments within Imenti Forest amid claims that sections of the protected forest are under threat from proposed projects, including an airstrip, golf course and State Lodge. …
Court stops public participation on proposed Meru State Lodge, airstrip, golf courseThe High Court will deliver its ruling on July 30 on an application seeking to halt proposed developments in Upper Imenti Forest pending the hearing of a constitutional petition. The National Assembly has urged the court to dismiss the petitioners' application, arguing they failed to meet the legal threshold and that no decision has been made to develop the forest.
21 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The High Court will deliver its ruling on July 30 on an application seeking to halt proposed developments in Upper Imenti Forest pending the hearing of a constitutional petition. The National Assembly has urged the court to dismiss the petitioners' application, arguing they failed to meet the legal threshold and that no decision has been made to develop the forest.
21 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya's High Court will rule on July 30 on an application to suspend proposed developments in Upper Imenti Forest, including an airstrip, State Lodge, golf course, and road expansion, pending a constitutional challenge. The National Assembly argues the petition is speculative and unsupported, while petitioners contend government agencies are already evaluating the projects.
21 July 2026 · Capital News →
President William Ruto dismissed concerns about an Ksh.80 million state lodge being built in Meru County, stating the government has earmarked approximately Ksh.40 billion in development projects in the region including affordable housing, markets, roads, and bridges.
13 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
An opinion piece argues that a public participation forum on the proposed Imenti State Lodge, Airstrip and golf course inside Imenti Forest was a "sham," with a lawyer denied the microphone, conservationists jeered and removed by security, and the Kenya Forest Service proceeding despite an Environment and Land Court suspension order due to inadequate notice of venue change.
13 July 2026 · The Standard →
Work has commenced on a proposed airstrip within Imenti Forest in Meru County despite a court order blocking the project pending determination of a petition challenging it. Proponents argue the airstrip is critical infrastructure that will unlock economic potential and create employment, while opponents question the legality of recent activities and a public participation forum held despite the court order.
11 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
An opinion piece argues that state agencies tasked with environmental protection—NEMA, KWS, and Kenya Forest Service—are instead enabling ecosystem destruction through amendments to safeguard laws and approval of development projects in protected areas. The writer contends that Kenya's courts, empowered by Articles 42, 69, and 70 of the Constitution, may be the last defence against state-led environmental harm.
11 July 2026 · The Standard →
Environmental groups say Kenya's 15 billion tree-planting target by 2032 contradicts ongoing destruction of existing forests and green spaces for infrastructure and commercial development, threatening climate and biodiversity commitments.
9 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
An editorial argues that public participation in Kenya Forest Service's Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for a proposed airstrip at Upper Imenti Forest should be meaningful and not merely rubber-stamp an already-decided project; effective safeguards require citizens and experts to examine necessity, legality, location, and environmental soundness before irreversible actions.
9 July 2026 · The Standard →
Conservationists have called for an immediate stop to forest destruction and excisions in Kenya, urging the government to conduct environmental assessments and allow public participation before allocating projects within protected areas. They criticized the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry and related agencies for failing to protect the country's forests amid continued encroachment and development.
9 July 2026 · The Standard →
The High Court has issued an interim order barring public participation on a proposed Meru State Lodge, airstrip, and golf course project pending the hearing of a petition challenging the developments. Justice Oguttu Mboya noted existing court orders already stopping the project's commencement and scheduled the matter for mention on July 21, 2026.
8 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Kenya Forest Service has presented the case for a proposed airstrip occupying approximately 11 acres in Imenti Forest, saying it will strengthen forest management and emergency response. Conservationists opposed to the project had to be evacuated to safety during a public participation event after facing risk of physical harm from supporters of the proposal.
8 July 2026 · The Standard →
The Kenya Forest Service has invited public views on a proposal to construct an airstrip and related infrastructure at Kithoka Beat in the Upper Imenti Forest, Meru County. The planned airstrip is intended to improve aviation access for forest management, emergency response, and regional economic development, and is expected to occupy approximately 11 hectares with minimal ecological disruption.
7 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Kenya Forest Service is holding public consultations on a proposed airstrip at Meru Forest Station designed to improve aviation access for forest management, disaster response, and economic development. The project would occupy 11 hectares, with initial environmental assessments indicating minimal ecological impact; stakeholders can submit comments by July 21.
7 July 2026 · Capital News →
Stakeholders have said the National Government's plan to hold public participation on an airstrip project inside Imenti Forest is illegal.
6 July 2026 · The Standard →
The Kenya Forest Service has scheduled a public participation forum for next week to address pressure from conservation and development groups over the construction of an airstrip inside Imenti Forest in Meru County. The airstrip, alongside a state lodge and golf course, is set to occupy approximately 11 acres, though KFS says the site has sparse vegetation and will cause "minimum ecological disruption."
3 July 2026 · The Standard →
The Kenya Forest Service has announced plans to hold public participation on a proposed airstrip within Imenti Forest, despite an ongoing court battle challenging the project. The airstrip is expected to occupy approximately 11 hectares of forest land in the Kithoka area.
2 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Attorney General has urged the High Court in Meru to dismiss a petition filed by activist Francis Awino challenging proposed construction of an airstrip, golf course, State Lodge, and bypass in the Imenti Forest area, arguing the case is frivolous and unsupported by evidence. The respondents contend that Awino failed to meet the legal threshold for conservatory orders and did not demonstrate any constitutional or environmental law violations.
30 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Justice Oguttu Mboya of Meru Environment and Land Court issued interim orders stopping the government's plans to excise and develop parts of Imenti Forest for construction of a State Lodge, airstrip, golf course and related facilities, pending further court directions.
24 June 2026 · The Standard →
Despite a court order and conservation concerns, construction of a State lodge, airstrip, and golf course is ongoing in Imenti Forest, Meru County, with workers felling mature trees under security from Kenya Forest Service rangers. The 32,000-acre forest serves as a critical migratory corridor and breeding ground for elephants and primary water catchment.
23 June 2026 · The Standard →
A proposed airstrip project inside Upper Imenti Forest Reserve in Meru County has sparked tension among conservationists, who warn that the infrastructure could disrupt wildlife corridors, water catchment functions, and ecosystem stability in one of Kenya's most sensitive ecological zones.
22 June 2026 · The Standard →
Meru Governor Mutuma M'Ethingia has handed over thirty acres of Imenti Forest for clearance to construct a State Lodge for President William Ruto and an airstrip intended to support miraa farmers' exports. The projects have drawn criticism from conservationists and local residents concerned about environmental impact.
16 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Public opposition to airstrip construction in the Upper Imenti Forest Reserve in Meru County is intensifying, with conservation groups, community leaders and environmental advocates calling for an immediate halt, warning the development threatens biodiversity and forest protection efforts.
16 June 2026 · The Standard →
The Environment and Land Court has issued interim orders preserving Imenti Forest and barring the state from undertaking activities that could alter the forest, pending hearing of a constitutional petition challenging alleged plans for developments including an airstrip and golf course. Justice Oguttu Mboya certified the matter as urgent and ordered the case be heard on a priority basis while maintaining the status quo.
11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
A petition filed before the Environment and Land Court seeks to halt proposed developments within Imenti Forest, including an airstrip, golf course, and State Lodge, over environmental concerns. The petitioner is requesting urgent conservatory orders barring government agencies from carrying out activities that may alter the forest pending the hearing.
9 June 2026 · Capital News →
A petition has been filed in the Environment and Land Court seeking to stop planned developments within Imenti Forest, including an airstrip, golf course, and State Lodge, citing threats to the protected forest's ecological integrity.
9 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Imenti Development Forum has joined conservationists and local leaders in opposing President Ruto's plan to build a State Lodge in part of Imenti Forest. The forum has called for the resignation of Governor Isaac Mutuma, Senate deputy speaker Kathuri Murungi, and North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood, accusing them of surrendering 100 acres of the gazetted Imenti Forest Reserve for the project, which it says threatens wildlife conservation.
9 June 2026 · The Standard →
The Green Belt Movement has condemned a proposal to construct a State lodge, airstrip, and golf course within Imenti Forest in Meru County, arguing the plan violates constitutional protections for forests and calling for an immediate halt to any forest land allocation for these purposes.
5 June 2026 · The Standard →