Grave concern over the lifting of the logging ban in Mau Forest

As Lawyers for Animal Protection in Africa (LAPA), we wish to express, in the strongest possible terms, our profound dismay and resolute opposition to the recent pronouncement by His Excellency President William Ruto regarding the lifting of the logging moratorium in the Mau Forest Complex.

This decision, which purports to permit the harvesting of “mature trees,” is not only environmentally regressive but also legally and ethically indefensible. The Mau Forest is a critical ecological asset to the Republic of Kenya and the wider East African region. It serves as a vital water catchment area, supports irreplaceable biodiversity, and sustains the livelihoods of countless communities and species.

We are compelled to remind the Executive that the Mau Forest is protected under various national statutes and international conventions to which Kenya is a signatory, including the Convention on Biological Diversity and the African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. The lifting of the ban undermines Kenya’s obligations under these instruments and sets a perilous precedent for environmental governance.

Moreover, the timing of this announcement—coinciding with the launch of a national tree-planting campaign—reveals a troubling inconsistency in policy direction. It is inconceivable that the government would promote afforestation while simultaneously authorizing deforestation in one of the country’s most sensitive ecosystems.

We therefore call upon:

• The National Assembly and Senate to urgently summon the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Forestry to provide a comprehensive explanation of this policy shift.
• The Judiciary to remain vigilant and prepared to adjudicate any legal challenges that may arise from this decision.
• Civil society, conservationists, and the general public to stand in solidarity in defense of our natural heritage.

LAPA shall pursue all lawful avenues to challenge this directive and safeguard the Mau Forest from further degradation. We reiterate that environmental protection is not a matter of convenience—it is a constitutional imperative and a moral duty.

Let it be known that we shall not relent.

Issued by Lawyers for Animal Protection in Africa (LAPA), Nairobi, Kenya.