The Environment and Lands Court has temporarily halted the planned expansion of Kiambu Road that would involve the destruction of 51 acres of the Karura Forest Reserve. The court’s ruling comes after the Green Belt Movement (GBM) filed a case on December 10, challenging the government’s decision to use part of Karura Forest for road expansion without following proper environmental procedures.
The ruling, issued by Judge Anne Omollo, prohibits the respondents from undertaking any construction or activities related to the project, including the establishment of a recreational facility, an ablution block, and the dualing of Kiambu Road. This temporary injunction remains in place until the matter is fully heard and determined, with the case scheduled to be revisited on February 3 next year.
The GBM, a leading environmental organization that has been at the forefront of protecting Kenya’s green spaces, expressed concern that the proposed road expansion would lead to the destruction of crucial parts of the Karura Forest ecosystem. In its application, GBM pointed out that the road expansion was being carried out without obtaining a required environmental impact assessment (EIA) license. The EIA process is a critical step for ensuring that any development projects do not cause harm to the environment, especially to sensitive ecosystems like Karura Forest.
Karura Forest, located on the outskirts of Nairobi, is a significant natural resource and an essential part of the city’s green infrastructure. It serves as a vital ecological buffer, providing a home for various species of flora and fauna, and is a popular recreational site for residents. The forest also plays a key role in preserving water catchment areas, reducing soil erosion, and helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide.
In its case, GBM argued that the destruction of 51 acres of Karura Forest for road expansion poses a direct threat to these invaluable ecological functions. They highlighted the importance of Karura Forest as an urban green space that has been a sanctuary for both wildlife and people for many years.
Furthermore, GBM claimed that the government’s decision to proceed with the road expansion, without adhering to legal and environmental guidelines, violates national and international environmental laws that safeguard the rights of citizens to a healthy environment. They argued that any development project that negatively impacts the environment should undergo a thorough environmental review to assess its potential consequences.
Judge Omollo’s decision to issue the temporary injunction also included allowing the Katiba Institute, a constitutional rights advocacy organization, to join the case as an interested party. The Katiba Institute’s involvement will ensure that the constitutional rights of citizens to a clean and healthy environment are upheld during the proceedings.
The halt on the road expansion comes at a time when environmental conservation in urban areas is under increasing scrutiny. Rapid urbanization in Nairobi and other cities has led to the encroachment on valuable green spaces, raising concerns about the loss of biodiversity, air quality, and public access to recreational areas. The case also highlights the growing tension between development and conservation, particularly as the government seeks to balance infrastructure expansion with environmental protection.
The ruling has been welcomed by environmental groups, who see it as a crucial step in protecting Karura Forest and other green spaces from the pressures of urbanization. The Green Belt Movement has called for a comprehensive and transparent process to evaluate the environmental impacts of any proposed projects in the forest reserve, and for the government to consider alternative routes for the road expansion that do not jeopardize the health of the forest.
As the case proceeds to a full hearing in February 2025, the outcome will be closely watched by both environmental activists and the government, with broader implications for how Kenya balances infrastructure development with the need to protect its natural heritage.