This archive report was first published on 1 October 2019.
September 2019 has been a month of action and intrigue in Kenya, with several high-profile cases making headlines.
The ongoing retribution in the Mau forest, a vital ecosystem and source of livelihood for many, is one such case. The arrest of Paul Lolwerikoi, managing director of the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya, is another.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's decision to cancel the Kimwarer dam project and downscale the Arror one is also a significant development.
While cynics view these actions as mere damage limitation, others see them as genuine attempts to address the plunder that has taken place.
It is early days, and only time will tell if these actions will lead to meaningful change.
However, the signs are promising, with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) showing a more effective approach to tackling graft.
The Mau forest story is a tale of licentious greed and plunder, with the largest indigenous montane forest in East Africa being subjected to illegal allocations and mowing.
Fortunately, efforts are being made to stop the mutilation and restore the impaired ecosystem.
The arrest of PBK boss Paul Lolwerikoi is a significant step in this process, and it will be crucial to see if the investigations and subsequent prosecutions are supported by enough convincing evidence.
The President's decision to cancel the Kimwarer dam project and downscale the Arror one is also welcome, given the many red flags surrounding these projects.
These two dam projects raised questions about procedure, value for money, and whether they would provide the services required.
Hopefully, this is the beginning of a major project reappraisal exercise, and it will be very welcome if so.
