Judge Halts President Ruto’s Logging Ban Lift
The Environment and Land Court has issued orders halting the implementation of President William Ruto’s directive to lift the nationwide prohibition on logging implemented 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 licenses and permits to fell trees.
The court also ordered that the granted Application and Orders be served on the parties, with a hearing scheduled for August 14, 2023.
In the case, the Law Society of Kenya moved to court to challenge the decision by the president to lift the said prohibition on logging of forests.
ALSO READ: President Ruto Reverses Logging Ban after Six-Year Hiatus
They argue that the directives issued lacked scientific justification, research, policy directives, specific environmental assessment impact, and public participation in the areas likely to be affected by the state’s decision to lift the prohibition on logging.
“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 entirely 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.
Judge Halts President Ruto’s Logging Ban Lift
