KFS Announces Next Step On Proposed Airstrip In Imenti Forest
The Kenya Forest Service has announced public participation in the contentious construction of an airfield within Imenti Forest, despite an ongoing legal dispute against the entire process.
KFS announced on Thursday, July 2, that it will organize a public participation meeting to describe the project and solicit stakeholder and public feedback.
According to KFS, the meeting is designed to explain the significance of the proposed airstrip and engage communities before any more action is taken.
The proposed airport is estimated to take up around 11 hectares of forest land in the Kithoka section of Imenti Forest.
Airstrip In Imenti Forest:
KFS seeks to construct an airstrip inside Imenti Forest
KFS invites members of the public to give their views
Petitioners moved court to suspend the project
Airstrip expected to occupy 11 hectares of forest land #CitizenTonight pic.twitter.com/XsKb8s7wTx— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) July 2, 2026
The announcement comes despite widespread criticism of the proposed project, which also includes the development of a state lodge.
The project remains the subject of an ongoing court case after petitioners filed a petition seeking to halt its implementation.
They cited concerns about the planned development within the protected forest.
Amid the pending cases, Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi said the government will respect the judicial process and abide by the court’s eventual decision.
KFS invites public participation on proposed Airstrip inside Imenti Forest in Meru County. pic.twitter.com/1lJF6bJ77i— Tukio Digital (@TukioDigital) July 2, 2026
At the same time, he expressed his belief that the court will at some point grant permission for the construction of the airstrip.
ALSO READ:
- Phones, Baby Diaper Importers Affected As Kenya Announces New Import Duty Rates
- KFS Announces Next Step On Proposed Airstrip In Imenti Forest
- Under Siege Youth Affairs PS Presents Himself To Police During Killing Probe
- Court Frees Activist Bob Njagi In Treason Case
- “Come Back Please!” – Nairobi Man Begs Wife After Fleeing To Saudi Arabia
“As of now, let’s respect the process, which is a court process that is going on,” Mugambi said.
“Let’s not talk so much about it, but we believe and we know for sure, the project at some point will be redacted by the court, and they will go on.”
📣 **UPDATE | Upper Imenti Forest**@KeForestService has announced a public participation forum on the proposed Upper Imenti Forest airstrip.
Public participation must shape decisions, not follow construction.
📅 8 July 2026
🕗 8:00 AM
📍 Meru National Polytechnic, Meru Town pic.twitter.com/hactyFa3OV— Rhino Ark (@RhinoArk) July 2, 2026
On Wednesday, June 24, the Environment and Land Court in Meru stopped the construction of a State House lodge, airstrip and golf course within the forest.
The court, in its ruling, issued a conservatory order directing that no activity, including excision, allocation, surveying, leasing, clearing or construction, should take place on any portion of the forest pending the hearing and determination of a petition filed before the court.
“Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of this Application, a temporary conservatory order and injunction shall be issued restraining the Respondents, whether by themselves, their servants, agents, employees, contractors or any other person acting under their authority, from exercising, allocating, alienating, surveying, leasing, licensing, clearing, constructing upon, developing or otherwise interfering with any portion of Imenti Forest for purposes of constructing or facilitating an airstrip, State Lodge, golf course or related facilities,” the orders stated.
KFS Announces Next Step On Proposed Airstrip In Imenti Forest
