Former Chief Justice David Maraga was among activists arrested during a protest against plans affecting Nairobi National Park.
According to United Green Movement, Maraga was participating in a peaceful procession opposing the proposed construction of a 1,300-car parking facility linked to plans to excise part of the national park.
“David Maraga has this morning been arrested today while participating in a peaceful procession to protect Nairobi National Park from the proposed construction of a 1,300-car parking facility. Protecting our national heritage is not a crime,” the statement read in part.
Why Maraga Was Arrested
The group stated that the demonstration aimed to protect the park from the proposed development, which has drawn opposition from conservationists and environmental activists.
In a statement following the arrest, the organization said Maraga had been detained while taking part in the procession and maintained that protecting the country’s natural heritage should not be treated as a criminal act.
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The proposed plans have sparked debate over the future of the protected conservation area, with activists calling for the preservation of the park and its wildlife habitat.
Details of the 2025–2026 Nairobi National Park Excision Proposal
The proposed project centres on the relocation of the 62-year-old Nairobi Animal Orphanage from its current site near Bomas of Kenya to a new location approximately 1.5 kilometres away within Nairobi National Park.
A key component of the proposal is the excision of 76 acres of indigenous upland forest located within a designated Low Use Zone of the park. This section of the park is intended for minimal human activity and is known to provide habitat for black rhinos and other wildlife species.
Further, the development also includes plans for a parking facility capable of accommodating up to 1,300 vehicles and a pedestrian overpass across Langata Road. The infrastructure is intended to serve both the relocated orphanage and the planned expansion of Bomas of Kenya. Critics have argued that the scale of the parking facility exceeds the needs of the orphanage and is primarily linked to the broader Bomas expansion project.
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On December 3, 2025, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) issued a licence for the project with reports indicating that tree-clearing activities began in March 2026 as implementation of the project got underway.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has defended the proposal, stating that the relocation will improve animal welfare standards, support growing wildlife rescue operations, accommodate an expected increase in visitor numbers and create employment opportunities.
KWS has also maintained that all required approval processes were followed and has rejected claims of widespread forest destruction within the park.
Conservation groups, including the Friends of Nairobi National Park, Kituo cha Sheria and Friends of Karura Forest, have opposed the proposal, arguing that the planned relocation of the Nairobi Animal Orphanage could pave the way for commercial development within the protected area.
The groups contend that the project may open the door to further encroachment on park land, concerns that have contributed to protests against the proposed excision.
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