Court Stops Construction of State House Lodge and Airstrip in Imenti Forest

The Environment and Land Court in Meru has issued interim conservatory orders stopping any activities linked to the proposed construction of a State Lodge, airstrip and golf course within Imenti Forest.

Justice Oguttu Mboya issued the orders on June 23, 2026, after certifying an application filed by Mugambi Imanyara, Charles Mutuma Mbogori and three others as urgent.

Petitioners had moved to court against the County Government of Meru, Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and other respondents over plans involving the forest.

Court directed that the matter be handled on a priority basis and ordered the respondents to respond to the application within five days after service.

The case will come up for mention on June 30, 2026, for directions on an expedited hearing and determination.

“This matter coming up on the 23/06/2026; for directions on the Notice of Motion dated the 16/06/2026, before Justice Oguttu Mboya, and upon reading the subject application and the supporting affidavit thereto: it is hereby ordered: that the Subject Application be and is hereby Certified as urgent and the same shall be heard on priority Basis,” Justice Oguttu stated.

Court further ordered that the respondents be served within two days from the date of the order and that responses be filed and served within five days from the date of service.

“The respondents shall file and serve their response(s) to the application within 5 Day(s) from the Date of service,” the document read.

The interim orders were granted after the court considered constitutional provisions and the potential consequences of the proposed project on the forest.

“Taking into account the provisions of Articles 69 and 159(2)(b) of the Constitution, 2010; and bearing in mind the likely consequence(s) of the intended project, there be and is hereby granted an Interim Conservatory Order in terms of prayer of the Application pending the return Date; or until Further Orders of the Court.”

The orders come after reports emerged that approximately 100 acres of the forest were earmarked for a presidential housing development, sparking public debate and opposition from residents and environmental conservation groups in Meru County.

Also Read:Court Stops Development Activities in Imenti Forest Pending Case Hearing

Court Issues Restrictions on Any Forest Activity

The court prohibited the respondents, their officers, agents, employees, contractors or any persons acting under their authority from carrying out activities connected to the proposed project.

“Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of this Application, a temporary conservatory order and injunction be issued restraining the Respondents, whether by themselves, their servants, agents, employees, contractors or any other person acting under their authority, from excising, allocating, alienating, surveying, leasing, licensing, clearing, constructing upon, developing or otherwise interfering with any portion of Imenti Forest for purposes of constructing or facilitating an airstrip, State Lodge, golf course or related facilities,” the Meru court stated.

The court also ordered that any decision, approval, licence, permit, agreement, development plan, procurement process or administrative action connected to the project be suspended.

“This Honourable Court be pleased to suspend and/or stay the implementation of any decision, resolution, approval, licence, permit, agreement, development plan, procurement process or administrative action relating to the proposed excision and development of Imenti Forest,” the court declared.

Respondents ordered to provide project documents

The court directed that the existing condition of the forest be maintained until the dispute is determined.

“Pending the hearing and determination of this Application and the Petition, an order of status quo be issued directing that the character, ecological condition and legal status of Imenti Forest be preserved and maintained,” Justice Oguttu ruled.

Also Read:EABL Seeks CJ Martha Koome’s Intervention Over Court Cases on Proposed Acquisition

The respondents have also been ordered to submit all documentation relating to the proposed project within 14 days.

“The Respondents be directed to disclose and file in Court within fourteen (14) days all approvals, Environmental Impact Assessment Reports, licences, permits, maps, acreage surveys, feasibility studies, public participation records, agreements and all documents relating to the proposed project,” the court added.

The court further allowed inspection of the affected areas by the petitioners and experts appointed by the court.

“This Honourable Court be pleased to authorize inspection of the affected portions of Imenti Forest by the parties and any experts appointed by the Court for purposes of preparing a status report,” Justice Oguttu Mboya noted.

The legal challenge follows growing concerns from environmentalists over the possible impact of the development on one of Kenya’s protected forest areas.

Earlier in June, the Green Belt Movement opposed the reported plans after information emerged that the Forestry Principal Secretary, Meru County Governor and Kenya Forest Service officials had visited a section of the forest known as Kambakia Forest.

The organisation also raised concerns over proposed amendments to Section 56(2) of the Forest Conservation and Management Act, saying the changes could expand Kenya Forest Service(KFS) powers to approve the use of public forests for public utility projects.

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An aerial view of elephants walking through the Imenti Forest in Meru Kenya. PHOTO/ Nation