Rhino Ark opposes construction of airstrip on part of Upper Imenti Forest

Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust has formally asked the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to stop the ongoing construction of an airstrip in the Upper Imenti Forest Reserve, arguing that the project is proceeding without the environmental approvals and public participation required under Kenyan law.

In a letter addressed to NEMA Director General Dr Mamo Mamo and copied to senior government officials, the conservation organisation said the project poses significant risks to the Mt Kenya ecosystem, one of the country's key water towers.

Rhino Ark Executive Director Christian Lambrechts said the organisation was concerned that no Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) had been conducted and that no licence authorising the project had been issued by NEMA.

“We cannot trade one of Kenya's water towers for short-term convenience. Upper Imenti is protected for a reason: it feeds the Tana and Ewaso Nyiro rivers, shelters elephants, and holds many plant species found nowhere else on Earth. No ESIA, no public participation, no licence means no construction. NEMA must halt works now,” said Lambrechts.

The non-governmental conservation organisation said it has invested more than Sh1 billion over the last 14 years in conservation infrastructure around the Mt Kenya forest ecosystem, including 320 kilometres of electric fencing aimed at reducing human-wildlife conflict and protecting forest habitats.

According to Rhino Ark, the Upper Imenti Forest Reserve lies on the hydrological divide between the Tana and Ewaso Nyiro river catchments and forms part of a nationally protected forest ecosystem.

The organisation further warned that the proposed airstrip is being constructed in an area that supports one of the highest concentrations of elephants on Mt Kenya during the dry season and is located near a known elephant maternity area.

“The Upper and Lower Imenti forest reserves form the central section of an important wildlife corridor connecting Mt Kenya with conservation landscapes in northern Kenya. Fragmenting this corridor threatens elephant movement, habitat connectivity and long-term conservation objectives,” Lambrechts said.

The conservation organisation also questioned the need for a new airstrip, noting that the existing Gaitu Airstrip, located about 14 kilometres from Meru Town, could be upgraded instead.

Rhino Ark said the project was inconsistent with a range of national conservation and climate policies as well as Kenya's international commitments on biodiversity protection and ecosystem restoration.

The organisation urged NEMA and other government agencies to suspend construction until all legal, environmental and public participation requirements have been met.

Efforts to obtain comment from NEMA and the project proponents were ongoing by press time.