The High Court has temporarily halted the government's proposed construction of a State Lodge within Imenti Forest, marking another setback for the Kenya Kwanza administration.
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, July 30, the court ordered that the suspension remain in force until consolidated petitions contesting the project are heard and determined.
The judges further directed that no additional action be taken on the project pending the outcome of the cases.
"The project has started, and restoring the status quo may not be possible if it proceeds," the court observed.
The consolidated petitions are set to be heard on September 28, 2026, when the court will determine the legal issues surrounding the planned State Lodge.
The court also held that refusing to issue conservatory orders would deny the petitioners access to justice, contrary to the Constitution.
The ruling comes weeks after the government unveiled plans to build a State Lodge, an airstrip, and a golf course inside Imenti Forest.
The proposals have, however, sparked widespread opposition from environmental activists and local residents, many of whom argue that the projects were initiated without adequate public participation.
In response, multiple petitions were filed in court, prompting orders that suspended the planned developments.
As concerns over public participation grew, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) organised a public consultation on the proposed airstrip. The meeting, however, ended abruptly after residents disrupted the forum with heckling, forcing organisers to call it off.
With the legal battle still ongoing, Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi said the government would respect the judicial process and comply with the court's final decision.
At the same time, Mugambi maintained that he believes the court will eventually clear the way for the construction of the proposed airstrip.
