President William Ruto's plan to set up a State Lodge inside Imenti Forest has been dealt a fresh legal blow, with a court stopping the project for the third time.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

Justice Oguttu Mboya of the Environment and Land Court in Meru issued the latest conservatory orders, barring any excision, clearing, construction, or alteration of the protected forest.

The orders were triggered by a petition filed by the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance and the Meru Forest Conservation Forum, who are challenging the proposed development.

Justice Mboya also extended earlier conservatory orders issued on June 10, keeping them in force until June 30, when the court will consider consolidating all three petitions.

📌 What You Need to Know

The proposed development, which includes a state lodge, golf course, and airstrip, has now been stopped by the same court three times in a row.

The interim conservatory orders took immediate effect on June 23 and remain active until June 30, barring any excision, clearing, construction, or alteration of Imenti Forest during that period.

Conservation groups argue the project threatens Imenti Forest, a critical water catchment area on the slopes of Mount Kenya that communities across Meru County depend on.

This order comes days after President Ruto, speaking during the 60th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service at Burieruri High School in Meru County on June 28, defended the project, stating that it was a matter of fairness for the region.

Thus far, Kenya has  11 designated State Lodges and  three State Houses that serve as official regional presidential residences and secure venues for state functions and meetings. The State Lodges are located in Eldoret, Sagana, Kisumu, Kakamega, Kitale, Rumuruti, Bungoma, Kilifi, Cherang'any, Kisii, and Homa Bay.

President Ruto has defended the project, arguing that other regions already have presidential facilities and that Meru deserves the same treatment as a matter of equitable development.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke