PILAE has joined forces with the Friends of Oloolua Forest and Acorn Law to combat the illegal grabbing of forest land in the Oloolua Forest Reserve. This case highlights our commitment to safeguarding Kenya’s public green spaces through grassroots action, legal expertise, and strategic advocacy.

The Issue

The Oloolua Forest Reserve faced severe threats from illegal land allocations, sparking public outcry and environmental degradation. PILAE stepped in to amplify the voices of concerned citizens and hold responsible parties accountable.

The forest, originally two blocks totalling 681 hectares, is threatened by attempts to illegally grab portions of it. The issue came to light in early 2024 when we received reports of unauthorised masonry wall construction within the protected area. Further investigations revelaed that this grabbed portion of the forest has been allocated to 41 individuals and companies.

As a result of this revelation, in July 2024, four cases were filed at the​ Environment and Land Court at Nairobi​ to challenge these titles and have them reverted back to the public, under the custody of Kenya Forest Service, and to prevent any development of the land​.

The Fifth case was also filed which, in addition to other orders sought in the four cases, also stops the Nuclear Regulatory Authority from ferrying and delivering nuclear and radioactive or other hazardous material into Oloolua Forest and storing such waste on the property pending hearing and determination of the suit.

Our Actions and Impact

• Raising Awareness: With our partners, we garnered significant media attention, including coverage of public protests that compelled the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Forestry to intervene with a site visit and public pronouncements.
• Legal Action: In court, we achieved a milestone victory, securing interim orders to:
  • Halt further illegal land allocations.
  • Restrict those with contested titles from engaging in business transactions involving the land.

Why This Matters

This case is a powerful example of the impact of collaborative environmental advocacy and legal intervention. By working together with local communities, we’re not just preserving forests; we’re protecting livelihoods, biodiversity, and the future of Kenya’s natural heritage.