Former Chief Justice David Maraga’s United Green Movement (UGM) Party has accused President William Ruto’s administration of undermining environmental protection, alleging that logging and other activities are threatening Kenya’s forests and water towers.
In a statement issued on October 8, 2026, UGM co-party leader Maraga called on Kenyans to reject the government in the 2027 General Election, accusing the administration of pursuing policies that could lead to the depletion of key natural resources.
The party criticised the lifting of the logging ban, claiming commercial timber harvesting had extended into ecologically sensitive areas without adequate Environmental and Social Impact Assessments or clear reforestation plans.
UGM singled out the Mau Forest Complex, the Aberdares and other protected forests, as well as areas along major highways, which it claimed had been affected by tree harvesting.
The party further accused the government of promoting tree planting while allowing the destruction of mature forests and other green spaces.
UGM described the government’s 15-billion tree planting campaign as “theatrical”, arguing that tree-planting targets should not be used to mask what it termed continued degradation of existing ecosystems.
The party said the alleged environmental degradation amounted to violations of constitutional provisions, including Article 42 on the right to a clean and healthy environment and Article 69 on the State’s obligations on environmental protection and sustainable development.
UGM has previously criticised the government’s environmental record, including its tree-planting campaign and the lifting of the logging ban in the Mau Forest Complex.
The party also unveiled what it called its “Green Leap” approach, which seeks to make environmental restoration a central part of Kenya’s economic development.
Under the proposal, UGM says it would establish a “Green Army” to create employment for young people through activities such as seed collection, nursery management and reforestation.
The party also proposes a regulated framework for carbon and biodiversity financing, with proceeds channelled to rural communities, alongside expanded agroforestry programmes aimed at balancing food production with sustainable timber supply.
UGM further proposes green sovereign bonds to finance renewable energy and micro-grid projects.
The party has made environmental conservation a central part of its political platform, with its stated objectives including ecological wisdom, community-based economics and economic and development sustainability.
Maraga, who is UGM’s 2027 presidential flag bearer, has previously positioned the party as an alternative to the current administration, campaigning on environmental protection, constitutionalism and institutional accountability.
He urges Kenyans to use the 2027 election to elect leaders who, in UGM’s view, would prioritise environmental protection, sustainable development and the creation of green jobs.
