Blow to Ruto as court suspends his logging directive
3 min read
Court temporarily suspends President William Ruto's directive that lifted a countrywide ban on logging
Court temporarily suspends President William Ruto’s directive that lifted a countrywide ban on logging.
Environment and Lands Court Justice Angote suspended the directive in a suit filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).
Justice Angote noted that the application was duly merited and certified as urgent by the Court.
Law Society of Kenya had argued that logging can be difficult to regulate, and there is a risk of illegal logging.
The court asked the Respondents, including Attorney General and five other interested parties to file their responses within five days.
“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 re-introduction of the Shamba System.
“The Petitioner, which in this case is the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has leave to file a Further Affidavit within 3 days of service,” Justice Angote ordered.
Further, the Judge ordered that the application be heard inter partes virtually on Monday, August 14, at 10 am, when the court will review the orders and give directions.
Ruto announced on Sunday, July 2, 2023, that he was lifting the ban on logging that had been in place since 2018.
Why Kenya is at war with Italy on Malindi-based space station, Defence CS
Kenya is losing millions of dollars to digital currency scammers: Report
Graduates to undergo mandatory community service before employment
Fuel prices poised to increase worldwide, Goldman analysts
Disquiet in Azimio amid claim of Mt Kenya snub in Ruto-Raila talks
The ban was put in place to protect Kenya’s forests from illegal logging and to help the country meet its climate change goals.
However, Ruto noted that the ban had led to job losses and economic hardship in some parts of the country and that lifting it would help to create jobs and boost the economy.
The decision to lift the ban has been met with mixed reactions with environmentalists expressing concern that it will lead to increased deforestation and damage to Kenya’s forests.
However, the government argued that it will put in place strict measures to ensure that only mature trees are harvested and that new trees are planted to replace those that are cut down.
“Only mature trees will be harvested, and new trees will be planted to replace those that are cut down. Forests can be managed sustainably to provide both economic benefits and environmental protection,” Ruto stated.
Also read,
US delegates to Kenya the responsibility to determine multinational force needs for Haiti
Drama in court as Mackenzie, aides boo state prosecutor
KRA responds to reports its system was hacked and Ksh21B stolen
Follow us
