MERU, Kenya – The Environment and Land Court in Meru has certified as urgent an application seeking to cite senior government officials for contempt of court over alleged continued destruction of Imenti Forest.Justice Oguttu Mboya issued the directions in the contempt application on June 25.
The application was filed by petitioner Francis Awino who accuses the Permanent Secretary for the State Department for Forestry, Mr. Gitonga Mugambi, and Kenya Forest Service Chief Conservator, Mr. Alex Lemarkoko of disobeying earlier court orderd that has been issued on June 10,2026.
The controversy stems from a proposal to clear parts of the Imenti forest for the construction of an airstrip, golf course, state lodge, and related infrastructure. This development drew sharp criticism from environmental activists and local residents who are concerned about the ecological impact of allowing this to happen.
In his Notice of Motion, Awino singled out the two officials accusing them of willfully and publicly undermining the authority of the judiciary. Francis Owino stated,
“THAT despite knowledge of the said orders, Mr. Gitonga Mugambi, CBS, the current Permanent Secretary… and Mr. Alex Lemarkoko, Chief Conservator of Forests… have deliberately and willfully disobeyed the express Court Orders issued by the Honourable Justice Oguttu Mboya.”
In his supporting affidavit, Awino alleges that despite being served with the court orders, government officials proceeded with prohibited activities, including:
• Granting commercial contractors, earth-moving machinery, and industrial workers access into the sensitive Kithoka section of Imenti Forest.
• Mass Deforestation by felling mature, irreplaceable indigenous and exotic trees, clearing natural undergrowth, and stripping forest vegetation over an estimated 54 acres to open up a bare corridor for an airstrip runway.
• Heavy grounwork like bulldozing, grading, and leveling the forest floor for runway preparation
• Surveying and demarcating distinct forest zones for a proposed State Lodge and adjacent golf course complex.
The petitioner attached geotagged satellite and ground photographs, videos, and media reports as evidence of the ongoing activities tracking the rapid clearing of the canopy since June 22.
“Unless the contemnors are immediately summoned to answer for their actions, the authority and dignity of this Honourable Court shall be undermined… The continued and willful acts of disobedience are causing and/or threaten to cause irreparable prejudice to the Petitioner’s constitutional rights, public interest and adversely desecrate designated forest.” stated Francis Owino in his notice of motion
The judge further directed that the application be served to the respondents within two days, scheduling a mention on June 29,2026 for further instructions.
