Nairobi, May 14 -- A proposed amendment to Kenya's forest law has sparked fierce opposition from environmental activists and civil society groups, who warn that the changes could open the door for roads, utilities and commercial developments inside protected public forests.

The proposed amendment to Section 56 (2) of the Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016, seeks to grant the Kenya Forest Service powers to approve easements for public roads, infrastructure projects and utility wayleaves within public forests. It further introduces provisions allowing "easement for public roads and other public installations" as well as "wayleaves for public utilities."

The Green Belt Movement has condemned the proposal as "a dangerous legal pat...