Court stops implementation of President Ruto’s lifting of logging ban

The Environment and Land Court has issued orders stopping the implementation of the policy directive by President William Ruto lifting the ban on logging implemented throughout Kenya in 2018

“Orders are granted staying the Government directive on the revocation of the Gazette Notices previously issued for de-gazettement of Forest areas/designating areas as Forests and the and re-introduction of the Shamba System," reads the order.

Further, Justice Oscar Angote has barred the state from granting such licences and permits to fell trees.

The court further directed that the Application and Orders granted be served upon the parties, for a hearing on 14th August 2023.

In the case, the Law Society of Kenya moved to court to challenge the decision by the president to lift the said ban on logging of forests.

They argue that directives issued have neither provided the scientific reasons, research, policy directives, or specific environmental assessment impact, nor public participation done in the areas likely to be affected by the removal of the ban on logging activities by the state.

“The government has indicated its push and commitment targeting to plant 15 billion trees over the next seven years to restore 10.6 million hectares (26.2 million acres) of degraded land and enlarge forest cover to 30%. This is after the region was hit by its worst drought in four decades last year. Previously, the Head of State has been involved in tree planting campaigns, that now seem mere political rhetoric as with the recent pronouncements on the logging,” reads court papers.

The lawyers' body argues that reckless action completely disregards the crucial role that forests play in mitigating climate change, preserving biodiversity, and safeguarding vital ecosystems.

Further, they argue that by allowing logging to resume, the government is endangering the delicate balance of nature, promoting deforestation, and threatening the livelihoods of countless communities that rely on the forests for their sustenance.