Aberdare Yetu

📢 Court Update on Aberdare Petition A three-judge bench on 7th November issued important directions on Petition No. E001 of 2024 concerning the Aberdares ecosystem. The following orders were made: 1. Witness Statements & Affidavits: Parties wishing to respond to the Petition must file witness statements and replying affidavits within 30 days. 2. Petitioners' Rejoinder: The Petitioners are required to file their rejoinder within 21 days. 3. Pretrial Conference: A pretrial conference will be held in person on 6th February 2025 at 9:00 AM. 4. Hearing Dates: The hearing of the Petition will proceed through affidavit and oral evidence from 11th to 13th March 2025. 5. Conservatory Orders: The conservatory orders are extended by mutual consent until 13th March 2025. The case is being presided over by the esteemed panel of judges: ⚖️ Hon. Lady Justice L.N. Gacheru ⚖️ Hon. Justice B.M. Eboso ⚖️ Hon. Justice J.O. Olola We will keep you updated as the case progresses. #CancelNEMALicence #AberdareYetu #SaveTheAberdares #EnvironmentalJustice Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust

📢 We wish to inform the public that Petition No. E001 of 2024 concerning the Aberdare is currently being presided over by a three-judge bench at the Nyeri Environment & Lands Court. Further updates on the proceedings will be provided as the case progresses. Thank you for your continued support and interest in safeguarding our environment. #CancelNEMALicence #AberdareYetu #PetitionE0012024 #SaveTheAberdares

In the ongoing discussion about infrastructure development, it's crucial to consider both the economic and environmental impacts of proposed projects. When comparing the Ihithe - Ndunyu Njeru road project with the Ndaragwa - Kariamu - Ndunyu Njeru alternative route, the advantages of each become evident. 🚧 Ihithe - Ndunyu Njeru Proposed Road: ▪️Estimated Cost: KeS 4.4 billion ▪️Length: 48.3 km ▪️Tarmac Connection: 15.12 km ▪️Community Impact: Limited connectivity, primarily benefiting communities along the route. ▪️Environmental Impact: Significant, as it traverses the fragile Aberdare ecosystem, posing risks of habitat destruction, water catchment damage, and increased pollution and poaching due to human activity. 🚧 Ndaragwa - Kariamu - Ndunyu Njeru Alternative Route: ▪️Estimated Cost: KeS 1.5 billion ▪️Length: 33.6 km ▪️Tarmac Connection: 29.62 km ▪️Community Impact: Extensive connectivity, supporting a wider range of communities and boosting market access, economic growth, and job creation. ▪️Environmental Impact: Minimal, as it circumvents the sensitive Aberdare ecosystem, thereby preserving critical habitats and water catchment areas. Considering the costs and benefits, the Ndaragwa - Kariamu - Ndunyu Njeru route stands out as the more sustainable choice. It provides broader and more meaningful connections for local communities while protecting the invaluable Aberdare ecosystem. #SupportAberdareRoadAlternative #CancelNEMALicence #SaveTheAberdares #AberdareYetu

The ongoing case in the Nyeri Lands & Environment Court regarding the proposed Ihithe-Ndunyu Njeru road through the Aberdare ecosystem has brought critical environmental concerns into sharp focus. We're encouraged by the overwhelming support from Kenyans rallying to protect the Aberdares from irreversible ecological damage. As Aberdare Yetu, we advocate for the 33.6 km Ndaragwa - Kariamu - Ndunyu Njeru alternative route (marked B in yellow), a balanced option that meets development goals while safeguarding Kenya's natural heritage. Let’s examine the facts: 🚧 Ihithe - Ndunyu Njeru Proposed Route: ▪️Cost: KES 4.4 billion ▪️Road Length: 48.3 km ▪️Connecting People to Tarmac: Limited to 15.12 km ▪️Community Impact: Limited, primarily benefiting communities directly along the road. ▪️Environmental Impact: Severe, as it risks 185 acres of bamboo, 35 acres of montane forest, and crucial moorlands—vital habitats for rare species, with impacts on water catchment areas that supply Nairobi and increased risks of pollution and poaching. 🚧 Ndaragwa - Kariamu - Ndunyu Njeru Alternative Route: ▪️Cost: KES 1.5 billion ▪️Road Length: 33.6 km ▪️Connecting People to Tarmac: 29.62 km, benefiting a far broader area ▪️Community Impact: Extensive, boosting connectivity, market access, economic growth, and job creation across multiple communities. ▪️Environmental Impact: Minimal, as it bypasses the delicate Aberdare ecosystem, protecting crucial habitats and preserving the ecosystem's water and biodiversity functions. With these facts in mind, it's clear why most Kenyans are rallying behind the alternative Ndaragwa - Kariamu - Ndunyu Njeru route. It provides substantial community and economic benefits while preserving the invaluable Aberdare ecosystem, which contributes 80% of Nairobi's water supply, 55% of Kenya's hydroelectric power, and KES 630 billion annually in ecosystem services. Chief Justice Martha Koome has appointed a three-judge bench to oversee the case, and as we await the mention date, we remain hopeful that the judicial process will uphold principles of fairness, transparency, and environmental stewardship. #CancelNEMALicence #SaveTheAberdares #AberdareYetu Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust

🌿 A Treasure at Risk! 🌍 The Kenyan Explorer, an avid Aberdares supporter, highlights what’s at stake if the Ihithe - Ndunyu Njeru road project proceeds through this precious ecosystem. This breathtaking landscape, home to rich biodiversity and critical water sources, faces serious threats if we don’t act now. The responsibility is on all of us! Let’s unite to raise awareness. Watch, share, and spread the message to protect the Aberdares. Video Credit: The Kenyan Explorer #CancelNEMALicence #AberdareYetu #SaveTheAberdares Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust

Beneath the forest floor of the Aberdares lies a network of feeding interactions that keep the entire ecosystem in balance. From earthworms aerating the soil to spiders controlling insect populations, each organism contributes to a cycle essential for healthy soils and robust biodiversity. However, the proposed 38km highway through the Aberdares would have significant impacts on these interactions, threatening the entire foundation of this ecosystem: 1. Disruption of Feeding Interactions: Soil organisms, like earthworms and microbes, play crucial roles in breaking down organic material and enriching the soil. When construction disturbs these organisms, it disrupts their feeding interactions, leading to a loss in soil fertility. This affects everything aboveground—from forest plants to the animals that depend on them. 2. Impact on Nutrient Cycling: Predators like spiders and insect-eating birds manage populations of soil pests, keeping nutrient cycles in balance. Construction fragments habitats and weakens these predator-prey relationships, slowing nutrient recycling and reducing the soil’s ability to support diverse plant life. 3. Erosion and Soil Compaction: Heavy machinery compacts the soil, making it harder for organisms like earthworms to move through it and perform their natural roles. Soil compaction reduces aeration, increases runoff, and depletes the soil of nutrients, which in turn impacts plant growth and the animals that feed on those plants. 4. Loss of Microbivory and Detritivory: Microbes and small organisms that break down decaying matter and recycle nutrients are essential for forest health. Construction disrupts this natural detritivory and microbivory, diminishing the soil's ability to regenerate and support diverse plant species that form the base of the forest food web. The Aberdares relies on these subtle, interconnected feeding interactions within the soil to sustain its rich biodiversity. As we weigh the potential for development, it’s critical to consider alternative routes that preserve the ecosystem’s natural functions. #CancelNEMALicence #AberdareYetu Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust

The "Wilderness Activity Zone" is a crucial part of the Aberdares ecosystem, safeguarding the moorland’s rare and endemic species along with its vital water catchments. 🌿💧 This biodiversity hotspot is highly sensitive, with strict visitor regulations to prevent degradation, and minimal infrastructure limited to essential conservation needs. 🚫 However, the proposed Ihithe - Ndunyu Njeru road threatens to destabilize this fragile environment. Here are the key concerns: ▪️ Habitat Destruction: Construction would disrupt habitats, leading to the loss of unique flora and fauna. ▪️ Water Catchment Damage: Vital water sources could be harmed, affecting nearby communities' water supply. ▪️ Increased Human Activity: More human presence could lead to pollution, poaching, and further environmental damage. ▪️ Ecosystem Fragmentation: The road would cut through the habitat, making survival harder for species. ▪️ Erosion and Landslides: Soil erosion and landslides could increase, causing additional harm. We urge the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) to revoke the construction license. Our natural heritage must be preserved for future generations. Source: Aberdare Ecosystem Management Plan, 2010-20 #StopTheRoad #ProtectTheAberdares #SaveOurWaterTowers #AberdareYetu Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust

Today, on International Day of Climate Action, we call for urgent action to protect the Aberdares—a critical water source and biodiversity hotspot. As #ClimateChange threatens ecosystems worldwide, the Aberdares stands at risk, and it’s our duty to safeguard it for future generations. Through reforestation, sustainable management, and conservation, we can protect this invaluable region. Let’s mark this day by committing to real climate action, ensuring the Aberdares continues to thrive. Join us in this fight for our planet's future. #AberdareYetu #ClimateActionNow

The African buffalo is a keystone species in the Aberdares ecosystem, playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of this biodiverse habitat. Known for its resilience and strength, the buffalo not only contributes to the health of the grasslands by grazing, but also shapes the landscape through its movements, creating pathways that other wildlife use. This herbivorous mammal, which can often be seen in herds, helps regulate plant growth and maintain open areas that are vital for other species such as zebras, elephants, and various antelopes. Buffaloes’ movements aid in seed dispersal, further enriching the Aberdare forests and grasslands. However, buffalo populations are threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. Protecting the Aberdares ecosystem, including the buffalo, is essential for preserving its biodiversity. Sustainable conservation practices and community engagement initiatives are critical to ensuring that the buffalo continues to thrive in this majestic landscape. Photo Credit: Robyn Preston

Earth’s natural #CarbonSinks play a crucial role in mitigating #ClimateChange. Soil holds more carbon than many might think, and understanding how much carbon is stored in different ecosystems is essential for advancing climate action and conservation efforts. The Aberdares ecosystem, recognized as one of Kenya's primary water towers, exemplifies this importance. CARBON STORAGE IN THE ABERDARES The Aberdares are rich in biodiversity and play a significant role in carbon sequestration through their forests and soils. These ecosystems store approximately 15% of Kenya's total carbon stock, with the potential for even greater carbon capture through sustainable land management practices and reforestation efforts. Recent studies have shown that intact forests in the region can sequester about 2.6 billion tonnes of carbon. THREATS TO CARBON SINKS Despite their critical role in carbon storage, the Aberdares face numerous threats from human activities. Infrastructure projects, such as the Ihithe - Ndunyu Njeru road threatens to cut through significant forest areas, potentially leading to deforestation and degradation of these essential carbon sinks. Additionally, illegal logging and charcoal production have intensified, undermining conservation efforts and further exacerbating the loss of carbon stocks. Forest fires, whether natural or human-induced, have also become a recurring issue, reducing forest cover and carbon storage capacity. These fires often result from various factors, including dry conditions and human activities like honey hunting. By prioritizing the protection of the Aberdares, we can leverage its natural carbon sinks to contribute significantly to global climate mitigation efforts. #CancelNEMALicence #SaveTheAberdares #AberdareYetu #SustainableDevelopment Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust