Green Belt Movement condemns plan to excise Imenti Forest for development projects
By Faith Lagat, June 5, 2026The Green Belt Movement (GBM) has raised concerns over plans involving parts of Imenti Forest in Meru County, which is reportedly being considered for development projects including an airstrip, a golf course and a State Lodge.
In a statement issued on June 4, 2026, the organisation said the forest is one of Kenya’s key water towers and ecological zones and warned that any excision would threaten its environmental integrity. The group said its earlier opposition on September 18, 2025, to similar proposals for a State Lodge and golf course in the same forest is now being validated by recent developments.
According to the statement, a letter dated May 6, 2026, from the Principal Secretary for Forestry, Gichora Mugambi, granted concurrence to the Chief Conservator of Forests, Alexander Lemarkok.
The request involved the issuance of a Special User Licence to facilitate construction works linked to the Meru Bypass under the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project, financed by the World Bank’s International Development Association.
The GBM said the licence covers 2.75 hectares of Imenti Forest for a 17.5-kilometre road project.
Claims over expanded land use plans
The Green Belt Movement stated that additional site visits involving the Principal Secretary for Forestry, Meru Governor Mr. Mutuma Mwithiga, and Kenya Forest Service officials to Kambakia Forest have raised concerns over possible plans for additional developments. The group cited reports suggesting identification of land for an airstrip, golf course and State Lodge within the forest area.
The organisation said forests are critical ecosystems that serve as water catchments, biodiversity reserves and climate protection zones. It added that forests should not be viewed as idle land available for conversion into commercial or luxury projects. The statement further argued that such developments reflect a pattern of forest allocation that undermines environmental protection principles.
Legal and constitutional concerns raised
The GBM raised concerns over recent amendments to Section 56(2) of the Forest Conservation and Management Act, stating that expanded authority granted to the Kenya Forest Service to issue easements and wayleaves could be misused.
It warned that such provisions may allow access to protected forest areas under the classification of public utilities, potentially exposing them to commercial interests.
The organisation referenced Article 62 of the Constitution, which classifies national forests as public land under the oversight of the National Land Commission. It called for strict adherence to legal procedures, including environmental impact assessments, public participation and regulatory approval before any change of land use.
The movement called for an immediate halt to any allocation or conversion of forest land linked to the proposed developments. It also urged full disclosure of all plans affecting Imenti and Kambakia forests and called on Parliament, the National Land Commission and environmental regulators to safeguard protected ecosystems.
The statement further appealed to development partners, including the World Bank, to ensure financing under the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project does not contribute to forest degradation. It said forests remain central to sustainable development and environmental stability.