By The Weekly Vision
The Environment and Land Court has issued conservatory orders temporarily stopping the construction of a road cutting through Ngong Road Forest that was intended to link the newly built Talanta Stadium with the Bomas International Conference Centre.
The court restrained further excavation, tree-felling, land clearance and construction works within the affected section of the forest, including activities at an associated eco-lodge site. The suspension will remain in place pending the hearing and determination of a legal challenge.
The petition was filed jointly by the Law Society of Kenya, the Green Belt Movement and JustAct. It challenges the Kenya Urban Road Authority (KURA )’s decision to excise part of the gazetted forest for the road project. Justice J.G. Kemei directed the respondents to file their responses by 17 August, with the application scheduled for a ruling on 16 September 2026. Until then, all construction activities in the disputed section remain suspended.
Environmental groups welcomed the interim orders. In a joint statement, the Green Belt Movement and JustAct said: “This case is not about opposing development. Kenya needs modern infrastructure to support economic growth and national priorities. However, development must be undertaken in a manner that respects the Constitution, environmental laws and the rights of present and future generations.”
The petitioners argue that Ngong Road Forest provides critical ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, water catchment protection and air quality improvement. They contend that these benefits cannot easily be replaced if the forest is degraded, and that allowing development on protected forest land would undermine Kenya’s wider environmental commitments, including the government’s 15-billion-tree growing programme.
They have urged KURA and the Government to reconsider the proposed road alignment and pursue alternatives that deliver the required infrastructure without sacrificing protected forest land.
The order represents a setback for infrastructure linked to the new Stadium, one of the Government’s flagship sports investments ahead of upcoming international events. It also underscores the increasing legal scrutiny applied to projects affecting Kenya’s protected forests.
