A public participation forum on the proposed construction of a Kenya Forest Service (KFS) airstrip in Upper Imenti Forest descended into chaos on Wednesday after Meru musician and environmental activist Kamanu M’ Tuamwari was escorted out under heavy security following hostile reactions from sections participants.
Kamanu had barely begun presenting a memorandum opposing the project when hundreds of participants shouted him down, forcing KFS rangers to intervene before escorting him from the venue.
Holding a document which he said bore the signatures of 7,000 people opposed to the project, Kamanu managed only to say,
“This is our memorandum signed by 7,000 people opposing the project,” before loud jeers drowned him out.
KFS Rangers quickly formed a protective cordon around him as the crowd demanded that he leave the meeting immediately.
As security officers escorted him to a waiting vehicle, a section of crowd attempted to confront him.
One person allegedly grabbed his jacket hood while another made away with his hat as officers drove him from the venue.
The hostility had become evident earlier when a moderator invited Kamanu to speak without apparently recognizing him.
Shortly afterward, a lady who identified herself as Dorothy, a Community Forest Association (CFA) leader, criticized the activist and said he was not welcome at the meeting.
She also alleged that Kamanu and his family had received Sh20 million and that some media houses had been sponsored to spread misinformation about the project.
She did not provide evidence to support the claims, and Kamanu did not get an opportunity to respond after reading the mood from the meeting.
The disruption made it difficult for several participants opposed to the project to present their views, while supporters of the development dominated much of the proceedings.
The forum was convened by KFS to collect public views on the proposed Forest Monitoring Base, whose key infrastructure includes an airstrip planned within the Kithoka Beat of Upper Imenti Forest.
Senior Deputy Chief Conservator in charge of Forest Conservation and Management Clement Ng’oriareng’ said the proposed airstrip would occupy approximately 11 hectares of the forest.
“We tried various sites, but this site was found to be the most suitable after surveys and wind assessments.
The project site is characterized by sparse vegetation cover and is therefore expected to result in minimal ecological disruption,” Ng’oriareng’ said.
He said the airstrip would serve as an operational base for forest surveillance, rapid response to forest fires and other conservation activities within the larger Mt. Kenya forest ecosystem.
Officials from the Office of the Principal Secretary for Forestry, including government lawyers, also attended the meeting.
North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood struggled to calm the charged crowd, warning that public participation must accommodate differing opinions.
“It is against the law to attack or intimidate anyone because they hold a different view during a public participation exercise,” Dawood told the gathering.
Municipality MCA Caleb Mutethia defended the project, saying it had been endorsed by Community Forest Associations during participatory forest management discussions in 2022.
“I have been a CFA member and you will not teach us how to conserve our forests,” Mutethia said.
Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders Secretary General Josphat Murangiri also backed the government’s plans, saying the council supported the proposed airstrip, State Lodge and golf course.
“We are custodians of Ameru culture and conservation. No one is grabbing forest land. We fully support the projects and disown anyone opposing them,” Murangiri said.
The proposed developments remain the subject of ongoing legal disputes.
Environmental groups and other petitioners have filed at least three separate court cases challenging the proposed airstrip, State Lodge and golf course within the forest.
Two weeks ago, Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi defended the projects, dismissing claims that the government intended to destroy Mt. Kenya Forest.
He said the planned Forest Monitoring Base would strengthen surveillance and conservation efforts.
Earlier today, the Environment and Land Court suspended July 8,2026 public participation exercise where the petitioners argued that a 24-hour notice issued by KFS was inadequate for stakeholders to prepare and participate meaningfully.
The petition, filed by Senate aspirant Mugambi Imanyara and other opponents of the project, also had court orders staying the commencement of the proposed airstrip, State Lodge and golf course pending determination of the case.
Edited by John Majau
