16 January, 2024, Nairobi, Kenya — Greenpeace Africa is deeply concerned about the ongoing destruction of Kenya’s vital forests, with recent developments threatening critical ecosystems in the Aberdare, Karura, and Suam forests. These forests are crucial for Kenya’s environmental health, biodiversity, and climate stability, yet they are increasingly being undermined by development projects masquerading as “progress.”
One of the most alarming developments is the Kenyan government’s plan to allocate 50 acres of Suam Forest in Trans Nzoia County for the construction of a border town and housing project to support a one-stop border post with Uganda. This proposal is a direct threat to the integrity of Suam Forest, and reflects a disregard for the long-term ecological consequences of such projects.
Additionally, Karura Forest, an iconic symbol of Kenya’s environmental conservation, is under threat. Although the High Court has issued a temporary injunction stopping the government from taking approximately 51 acres of Karura Forest for Kiambu Road expansion, ongoing logging within the forest continues to raise alarm. The government’s defence of this logging is deeply concerning and further highlights the disconnect between environmental protection commitments and on-ground actions.
This move contradicts the Kenyan government’s rhetoric on environmental conservation. Despite pledging to plant 15 billion trees as part of its climate action goals, the destruction of forests such as the Mau, Mount Elgon, Karura, Suam, and Aberdare demonstrates a growing disconnect between political promises and actual policy implementation.
Kenya’s forests are home to rich biodiversity, including endangered species such as the bongo antelope in the Aberdare Range and rare bird species in Karura. These forests also provide essential ecosystem services, including water regulation, carbon sequestration, and soil conservation. Their destruction would have far-reaching consequences on Kenya’s water resources, agricultural productivity, and overall climate stability. It would also devastate local communities who rely on these forests for their livelihoods.
The planned destruction of Kenya’s major forests blatantly contradicts the government’s environmental policies. While the government speaks of protecting the environment, actions like the allocation of Suam Forest land for a housing project reveal a prioritization of short-term gains over long-term sustainability. We cannot afford to continue down this path of environmental degradation.
Greenpeace Africa is calling on the Kenyan government to:
- Reverse the decision to remove forest land and prioritise the protection of Kenya’s scarce forest resources
- Seek alternative policy measures through meaningful consultation with local communities to ensure sustainable and inclusive solutions.
- Enforce strict forest protection laws and hold accountable those responsible for illegal land allocations and environmental destruction.
- Prioritise sustainable land-use planning that balances development needs with forest conservation.
- Honor its climate commitments by taking immediate steps to protect Kenya’s forests, rather than compromising them for short-term development projects.
Greenpeace Africa urges the Kenyan government to align its policies with its promises and take concrete action to safeguard the nation’s forests, biodiversity, and future. Protecting these critical ecosystems is not just an environmental necessity but an economic and social imperative for the country’s long-term prosperity.
Contact:
Sherie Gakii, Communications Manager, Greenpeace Africa, [email protected], +254702776749
Greenpeace Africa Press Desk, [email protected]