The Environment and Land Court in Ol Kalou has issued conservatory orders suspending all logging activities in the Aberdare Forest, regardless of the operators’ licensing status, amid growing concerns over the destruction of one of Kenya’s most critical water catchment areas.
Justice Joseph Mugo Kamau issued the orders on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, following an urgent petition filed by Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia and a local resident.
The legal intervention comes amid mounting public outcry over extensive timber extraction in the Aberdare Forest, particularly in Nyandarua County, where residents and local leaders have raised concerns over the large number of commercial lorries transporting logs from the Geta Forest Block daily.
Environmental conservationists and local communities fear that uncontrolled logging could damage the Aberdare ecosystem, accelerate soil erosion and threaten rivers that sustain millions of people and agricultural activities across central Kenya.
While presenting her case before the court, MP Wanjiku Muhia passionately warned that the Aberdare water tower was facing imminent destruction, calling for urgent intervention to protect the vital ecosystem.
Adding to residents’ concerns, Nyandarua Senator John Methu of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) questioned the government's transparency over the ongoing logging activities.
Methu warned that unchecked commercial logging could have serious consequences for the environment and national food security, particularly in areas that depend on rivers originating from the Aberdare catchment.
“This ongoing activity, if not stopped, will lead to famine in areas that depend on rivers originating from the catchment,” Methu declared.
The senator also dismissed Kenya Forest Service (KFS) claims that the harvesting was being conducted in a controlled manner, alleging that government officials were benefiting from the logging activities.
Former Attorney-General and Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi also joined the criticism, demanding greater public accountability over the management of the forest.
“Ecological devastation in the Aberdares must not be covered up,” Muturi said.
He urged the Kenya Forest Service to move beyond defensive public relations and allow an independent assessment of the forest's condition. Muturi called on opposition leaders, civil society organisations, environmental rights groups, independent experts and the media to be allowed to inspect and document the extent of the alleged environmental degradation.
However, timber traders and sawmillers have defended their operations, describing the felling of trees as standard and lawful management of mature and over-mature commercial plantations.
The suspension has raised concerns about the livelihoods of businesses and workers in the regional timber sector, many of whom have invested heavily in the industry since President William Ruto lifted the nationwide commercial logging moratorium in 2023.
To establish the extent of the alleged environmental damage, Justice Kamau directed all parties, including the Nyandarua County Police Commander and the County Conservator of Forests, to ensure strict enforcement of the logging suspension pending a site inspection.
The court is scheduled to conduct a physical visit to the Geta Forest Block on Friday, October 23, 2026, to assess the competing claims and verify the condition of the forest before issuing further directions.
The outcome of the inspection is expected to inform the court's next steps in determining the dispute over logging activities and environmental conservation in the Aberdare Forest.
