Former Kenyan Chief Justice, David Maraga, was arrested on Monday during a protest against a controversial development project near Nairobi National Park, sparking fresh debate over conservation and public participation in government decisions.
Maraga, who is expected to contest Kenya’s 2027 presidential election, was among a group of demonstrators opposing what activists claim is a plan to construct a massive car park on protected land linked to the wildlife sanctuary in Nairobi.
The protest took place along a road bordering Nairobi National Park, a 117-square-kilometre conservation area and one of Kenya’s most popular tourist attractions.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), which manages the park, has come under criticism from environmental groups and activists who accuse it of allocating part of the protected land to a neighbouring convention centre while also planning a large new animal orphanage within the park.
KWS has strongly defended the project, maintaining that the relocation and expansion of the orphanage will enhance animal welfare, improve veterinary training and provide a better experience for visitors. According to a KWS official quoted by local media, the facility would occupy 89 acres, representing just 0.31 per cent of the park’s total land area.
Videos circulating on social media showed police dispersing protesters and detaining demonstrators who had staged a sit-in on a two-lane highway near the park.
Maraga, dressed in the colours of his United Green Movement party, was seen being escorted into a police vehicle as supporters around him chanted, “Long live the park.”
The former chief justice was arrested alongside nine other protesters. Although he was later released, Maraga reportedly refused to leave the police station until the remaining activists regained their freedom.
Kenyan police had not issued an official statement on the arrests as of the time of reporting.
Reacting to the incident on X, Maraga said he was detained alongside “fellow patriotic Kenyans” who had sought to present a petition to KWS opposing the proposed construction of a 1,300-vehicle car park.
“Our national heritage and environment must be safeguarded from greed and unnecessary destruction without public participation,” he wrote.
While KWS has not directly addressed the allegations surrounding the proposed car park, the agency insisted that members of the public were consulted over plans for the new animal orphanage.
The arrests have drawn criticism from rights groups, with Amnesty International condemning what it described as the forceful dispersal of peaceful demonstrators.
In a joint statement with environmental organisations, including Greenpeace Africa, Friends of Nairobi National Park and The Green Belt Movement, Amnesty said the use of force against citizens exercising their constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, expression and public participation was unacceptable.
