KFS to hold public participation on proposed Imenti Forest airstrip amid court battle

The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has announced plans to conduct public participation on the proposed construction of an airstrip within Imenti Forest, despite an ongoing court battle challenging the project.

KFS says it will hold a public participation meeting to explain the proposed development and gather views from stakeholders and members of the public.

According to the Kenya Forest Service, the meeting is intended to outline the significance of the proposed airstrip and engage residents before any further steps are taken.

The announcement comes amid growing public opposition to the project, which also includes the proposed construction of a State lodge inside Imenti Forest.

"As of now, the matter is before the courts, so we cannot comment much on it. However, we are confident the project will eventually be vindicated by the courts,” Forestry PS Gitonga Mugambi said.

According to KFS, the proposed airstrip is expected to occupy approximately 11 hectares of forest land in the Kithoka area of Imenti Forest.

The agency says it will respect the court process and abide by whatever decision is reached, while expressing confidence that the project will ultimately receive the court's approval.

"These are normal challenges that we encounter in many projects. We are confident the courts will give us the green light, and we will abide by the law,” Mugambi added.

Three petitions have already been filed seeking to stop the implementation of the project, with petitioners raising concerns over the planned developments within the protected forest.

The hearing of the three petitions has been scheduled for July 21.