The Environment and Lands Court in Nairobi has issued a temporary suspension of President William Ruto's directive that lifted the countrywide ban on logging. The decision came in response to an application filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), which was deemed urgent and duly merited by the Court.

Justice Angote, presiding over the case, instructed the Respondents, including the Attorney General and five other interested parties, to submit their responses within five days. The Judge granted three of the prayers sought by the Law Society of Kenya, including blocking the implementation of President Ruto's orders on logging.

The lifting of the logging ban was announced by President Ruto on Sunday, July 2, 2023, after being in place since 2018 to protect Kenya's forests from illegal logging and support the country's climate change goals. The decision was intended to address concerns of job losses and economic hardships in certain regions, with Ruto emphasizing that it would create job opportunities and boost the economy.

Environmentalists, however, expressed apprehension that lifting the ban could lead to increased deforestation and damage to Kenya's forests. In response, the government assured that strict measures would be put in place, ensuring only mature trees would be harvested, and new trees planted to replenish those cut down. The government also aimed to increase forest cover by planting 15 billion trees over the next seven years to restore 10.6 million hectares of degraded land.

Conservationists argued that forests play a vital role in climate regulation and water supply for both people and wildlife, and lifting the ban could have adverse environmental impacts.

The Law Society of Kenya raised concerns about the difficulty of regulating logging activities and the risk of illegal logging. The court proceedings will continue with an inter partes virtual hearing scheduled for Monday, August 14, at 10 am, during which the court will review the orders and provide further directions.

While the debate over the logging ban continues, the court's temporary suspension marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between environmental conservation and economic interests in Kenya's forestry sector.