NAIROBI, Kenya—Former Chief Justice David Maraga was on Monday arrested alongside several environmental activists during a protest against the proposed excision of 76 acres of land from Nairobi National Park.
The demonstrators had gathered to oppose plans to allocate part of the protected land, arguing that the move threatens wildlife conservation and could open the door to further encroachment on Kenya’s protected areas.
Witnesses said police moved in to disperse the protesters before arresting a number of participants, including Maraga, who has in recent months emerged as a vocal advocate on governance, constitutionalism and environmental protection.
The arrests drew criticism from conservation groups and civil society organisations, which maintained that the demonstration was peaceful and aimed at safeguarding one of the country’s most important wildlife habitats.
Activists accused authorities of undermining environmental protection laws and called for the immediate suspension of any plans to alter the park’s boundaries.
Nairobi National Park, situated on the outskirts of the capital, is Kenya’s oldest national park and one of the few wildlife conservation areas located next to a major city. The park supports a wide range of wildlife species and serves as a critical habitat and migratory corridor despite mounting pressure from urban expansion and infrastructure development.
Conservationists have long opposed attempts to reduce or fragment protected land within and around the park, warning that continued encroachment could disrupt wildlife movement, threaten biodiversity and undermine Kenya’s tourism and conservation gains.
The latest protest underscores growing concerns among environmental advocates over the future of Nairobi National Park and the need to balance development with the protection of the country’s natural heritage.
