NEW: Forestry PS Gitonga says construction of the Imenti Forest State Lodge, airstrip, and golf course will continue despite a court order.
Once again, we are seeing the hallmark of this government: court orders seem to apply to everyone except those in power.
But beyond the court order, there is something else that doesn't make sense.
Why this obsession with building inside forests?
The same government that tells Kenyans to protect forests is building a State Lodge, an airstrip, and a golf course in a forest.
Why couldn't this be built on open land?
And why are taxpayers being asked to fund another State Lodge when Sagana State Lodge already exists?
In fact, why on earth would they be building a State Lodge for someone who is always out of the country?
At a time when Kenyans are struggling with high taxes, unemployment, and an economic downturn, this project seems more like a political luxury than a national priority.
And let's be honest. This looks more like a political project aimed at creating a second centre of power in Mt Kenya.
If that is not the intention, then the government should explain why another State Lodge is needed just a few kilometres from Sagana.
PS Gitonga says the first aircraft could land at the airstrip within days.
Maybe I'm missing something, but what exactly is the public benefit here?
From where many Kenyans are sitting, this looks like public money being used to build prestige projects for politicians while ordinary citizens are told to tighten their belts.
Forests should be protected, not sacrificed for political projects. Stop the waste of public funds.