- Justice Joseph Mugo Kamau issued the extension on Friday after visiting the Geta Forest block, accompanied by parties to the case, to assess areas where logging had been conducted.
The Environment and Land Court in Nyandarua has extended
conservatory orders barring the felling and transportation of trees from the
Aberdare Forest as a case challenging logging activities in the water tower
continues.
Justice Joseph Mugo Kamau issued the extension on Friday after
visiting the Geta Forest block, accompanied by parties to the case, to assess
areas where logging had been conducted.
The judge said the court would reconvene on November 11, when
further directions would be issued.
“Now that we have been on the ground, we have made our
observations, some of which have been aired by the various advocates. I’ve also
made my own observations, which I’ve put down. Now, we meet in court on the
11th of November," said Mugo.
The case was filed by Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia and Elijah
Gachuki following public concern over logging in the Aberdare Forest, with
fears that the activities could lead to environmental degradation and threaten
a critical water catchment area.
However, authorised commercial sawmillers have maintained that
the activities constitute lawful plantation management rather than
deforestation.
The court directed the Nyandarua County Police Commander and
the County Conservator of Forests to ensure strict enforcement of the
suspension of logging activities.
The matter will be mentioned again on November 11 for further
directions.