NAIROBI, Kenya— State Department of Forestry Principal Secretary George Tarus has confirmed that the government plans to construct an airstrip in Imenti Forest, saying the facility is intended to strengthen Kenya’s capacity to respond to the growing threat of wildfires.
Speaking during an interview on NTV on Wednesday, Tarus said the proposed airstrip forms part of the Kenya Forest Service’s (KFS) long-term strategy to improve emergency response as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of forest fires across the country.
“It is true. There are plans to establish an airstrip within Meru Forest. Part of that response is the proposed airstrip in Lower Imenti, which would serve that part of the country,” Tarus said.
He explained that the proposal is informed by scientific projections indicating that wildfire incidents are expected to increase, making it necessary for KFS to invest in infrastructure that supports faster deployment of firefighting resources.
According to Tarus, the government has already begun installing surveillance infrastructure, including camera-equipped masts capable of detecting fires in forests. However, he noted that rapid aerial response remains a challenge without nearby aviation facilities.
He said the proposed site is strategically located in a transition zone between wetter and drier ecosystems that are becoming increasingly susceptible to wildfires.
To underscore the urgency of the project, Tarus cited a recent wildfire that destroyed nearly 1,000 acres of forest in eastern Kenya, describing it as an indication of the growing risks associated with climate change.
The proposal has, however, attracted criticism from environmental conservation groups concerned about the potential impact of constructing an airstrip within or near a protected forest ecosystem.
Responding to the concerns, Tarus maintained that the project cannot proceed without complying with Kenya’s environmental laws, including the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA).
He said an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) had already been undertaken and that the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) would independently determine the project’s next steps.
“I am aware that the Environmental Impact Assessment was undertaken. NEMA, in its own wisdom, will guide what should happen next,” he said.
Tarus argued that similar aviation facilities already exist in national parks and privately managed conservancies, where they support conservation activities, surveillance and emergency operations.
He added that establishing a government-owned airstrip would reduce operational costs currently incurred when relying on privately owned airstrips for firefighting and conservation missions.
“Instead of incurring those costs repeatedly, why not invest in our own infrastructure for posterity and save on landing charges and other related expenses?” he said.
The Principal Secretary clarified that the proposed airstrip is an internal Kenya Forest Service infrastructure project designed to improve forest management and emergency response, rather than a public transport facility or easement intended for private development.
He reiterated that the project remains subject to all statutory environmental approval processes before any construction can begin.
The proposal comes amid heightened scrutiny from environmental groups.
In June, the Green Belt Movement (GBM) raised concerns over reports of planned developments within sections of Meru’s Imenti Forest, warning that such projects could threaten one of Kenya’s critical water towers and ecologically significant forest ecosystems.
The lobby group also recalled its previous opposition to proposals to establish a State Lodge and a golf course within Imenti Forest, arguing that development activities should not compromise the long-term conservation of protected forest areas.