On Tuesday, October 6, 2026, a coalition of civil society groups and community forest defenders staged a march through Nairobi's Central Business District, demanding stronger protection of Kenya's forests. The march, which began at Uhuru Park, proceeded to the Ministry of Environment, with participants carrying placards and twigs while chanting against deforestation. The demonstration disrupted traffic in the CBD but reportedly did not encounter any clashes with security officers.
The march was backed by Greenpeace Africa and other organizations, with participants presenting an open letter to Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa outside the ministry. The letter, which garnered over 60,000 petition signatures, outlined four specific demands aimed at protecting Kenya's forests. These demands included halting contentious projects in several forests and Nairobi National Park, and respecting existing court orders on those projects.
The protesters also called for the reinstatement of the logging ban in the Mau Forest Complex, public disclosure of all forest excisions, easements, and licences, and greater community participation in forest management. Furthermore, they demanded the prosecution of illegal loggers and land grabbers. The groups highlighted that Kenya's current forest cover stands at 8.83 percent, falling short of the constitutional and international target of 10 percent.
The march was motivated by concerns that recent policy shifts are undermining President William Ruto's pledge to plant 15 billion trees by 2032. The groups warned that if urgent action is not taken, Kenya's forests will continue to dwindle, with severe consequences for the environment and local communities. The protesters emphasized the need for a comprehensive forest protection plan to be unveiled during the upcoming Mazingira Day celebrations in Trans Nzoia.
The organizers of the march gave the Ministry of Environment a 30-day deadline to respond in writing to their demands. The response is expected to outline concrete measures to address the concerns raised by the protesters. The groups are hopeful that the ministry will take their demands seriously and take urgent action to protect Kenya's forests.
Kenya's forest cover has been declining over the years, with deforestation and land degradation posing significant threats to the environment and local communities. The protesters emphasized that protecting Kenya's forests is crucial for maintaining biodiversity, regulating the climate, and ensuring the livelihoods of communities that depend on them. They called on the government to prioritize forest conservation and take concrete measures to address the root causes of deforestation.
The march through Nairobi CBD is a clear indication of the growing concern among Kenyans about the state of the country's forests. The protesters are demanding urgent action from the government to protect Kenya's forests and ensure a sustainable future for the country. The outcome of the march and the government's response will be closely watched by environmentalists and conservationists.
Key points
- The protesters are demanding a halt to contentious deforestation projects in several forests and Nairobi National Park.
- Kenya's current forest cover stands at 8.83 percent, below the constitutional and international target of 10 percent.
- The groups are calling for a comprehensive forest protection plan to be unveiled during the upcoming Mazingira Day celebrations in Trans Nzoia.
