Kenya: Martha Karua Condemns Ruto’s Decision to Lift Logging Ban

By Samuel Ouma

The leader of the People’s Liberation Party (PLP) Martha Karua has criticized President William Ruto’s recent decision to lift the national logging ban, deeming it unacceptable, illogical, and immoral.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Karua accused the Ruto’s administration of jeopardizing Kenya’s environmental achievements and breaking its promises on climate action.

She expressed concern that lifting the moratorium would pave the way for renewed destruction of the nation’s forests, which are vital for water supply and carbon absorption.

Karua cautioned that this decision would be exploited by cartels, corrupt officials, and illegal loggers, undoing years of delicate progress.

“Ruto cannot plant seedlings with one hand and swing an axe with the other,” Karua said, noting that the President’s claim that forests are “overstocked” with mature trees is both misleading and perilous.

The PLP leader also referenced the legacy of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, who was a strong advocate for the restoration of the Mau Forest Complex during his time as Prime Minister. She accused President Ruto of disrespecting that legacy just a month after Raila’s death.

“As the nation continues to mourn the loss of Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, we remind Ruto that Raila was a fierce protector of the Mau Forest Complex. Just a month after his passing, he is dismantling the very environmental safeguards that Raila fought so hard for. This is a betrayal of his legacy,” she stated.

Karua pointed out that the Environment and Land Court had already ruled a similar attempt to lift the logging ban unconstitutional because it lacked public input.

She accused the government of once again sidestepping due process and violating Articles 35 and 69 of the Constitution, which ensure the public's right to access information and participate in environmental decisions.

The PLP leader cautioned that this move jeopardizes Kenya’s reputation on the international stage, where the country has worked hard to establish itself as a leader in climate action across the continent.

She criticized President Ruto for “preaching water abroad while drinking wine at home,” highlighting the gap between his climate promises and the reality of his domestic policies.

“A few sawmills might get back to work, but the real cost will be borne by farmers facing erratic rainfall, pastoralists watching their grazing lands dry up, and city dwellers dealing with water shortages,” Karua remarked.

She urged President Ruto to reconsider what she called a “reckless decision” before it leads to irreversible harm to the environment.

The logging ban, first put in place in 2018, was intended to stop the destruction of major forests like Mau, Cherangany, and Mt. Kenya, following years of depletion and land grabs highlighted in reports such as the Ndung’u Land Report.