The United Green Movement Party (UGM), led by former Chief Justice David Kenani Maraga, has strongly condemned President William Ruto’s decision to lift the logging ban in the Mau Forest Complex, calling it a major setback to Kenya’s environmental conservation efforts.

In a statement dated October 28, 2025, UGM said it was deeply concerned by the move, which it described as a deliberate destruction of one of East Africa’s most important ecosystems.

The party accused the government of double-speak, arguing that it cannot promote tree planting and environmental protection while allowing logging in the country’s most critical water tower.

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“On the one hand this government appreciates that water scarcity induces environmental conflicts, because of environmental degradation, while on the other hand, it creates an environmental disaster by destroying Kenya’s most critical water tower, all literally happening on the same day,” the statement read.

President Ruto made the announcement on Monday, October 27, during the launch of the Mau Forest Complex Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme in Elburgon, Nakuru County. He said the decision would help revive the local timber and furniture industries and create jobs for Kenyan youth.

“We shall reopen your timber factory here. We will use our own timber to make furniture. The furniture that will be used in Kenya will be made from locally produced wood, and it is our Kenyan youth who will make that furniture,” Ruto said.

The President also directed the Trade Cabinet Secretary, Lee Kinyanjui, to stop the importation of furniture into the country.

He said Kenya has enough resources to produce its own furniture and will no longer rely on imports from countries such as China.

“I have instructed our Trade Minister that this issue of importing furniture, seats and beds from China or any other place must come to an end,” Ruto stated.

He explained that the government will sell mature trees from forests across the country to local sawmillers beginning next week, saying the move would revive sawmills that were shut down during the ban.

Party questions motives

However, UGM criticised the decision, saying it lacked any scientific or environmental basis. The party claimed there was no evidence of a meaningful environmental impact assessment before the ban was lifted.

“The big question is why lift the ban now and who benefits? There is more than meets the eye in what is informing the deliberate destruction of a key water tower,” the statement added.

UGM said the Mau Forest Complex is not only a forest but the country’s lifeline, feeding 12 major rivers that sustain human populations across several counties, including Narok, Bomet, Kericho, Kajiado, Nakuru and Nairobi.

The forest also supports wildlife and natural assets such as the Maasai Mara Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park and the Sondu-Miriu Hydropower plant.

The party reminded Kenyans that over 40 per cent of the original Mau Forest has already been lost since independence due to logging, encroachment and land grabbing.

It credited the conservation efforts that began in 2009 under the leadership of Raila Odinga and were later reinforced by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

UGM accused President Ruto of hypocrisy, saying that while he presents himself as a champion of climate action, his administration’s policies tell a different story.

“As is characteristic of the leadership of President Ruto, it is not surprising that while he globe-trots and talks big on climate change and conservation, he is now presiding over the next wave of devastating destruction of the Mau Forest,” the party said.

The party further called on Kenyans to reject the move and unite in defence of the environment.

“We urge all Kenyans to say a big NO to this lifting of the logging ban by President Ruto,” it said.