Rights groups demand immediate release of Maraga, eight others arrested in Nairobi National Park protest

Civil society organisations have demanded the immediate release of nine individuals, including former Chief Justice David Maraga, who were arrested on Monday during demonstrations against plans linked to Nairobi National Park and the Bomas of Kenya development project.

The Sh41.9 billion Bomas of Kenya expansion project, which also includes the relocation of the 62-year-old animal orphanage, has faced criticism over proposals to excise 76 acres from Nairobi National Park. Members of the National Assembly Tourism and Wildlife Committee have also raised concerns over the high cost of the Bomas International Convention Centre, now estimated at Sh42 billion, describing it as excessive compared to similar facilities in the region.

The project, part of the wider Bomas International Convention Centre development, is among the key government flagship projects but continues to face debate over its cost, planning, and environmental impact.

Friends of Nairobi National Park, Just Act, United Green Movement Party, the Green Belt Movement, Amnesty International Kenya and Greenpeace Africa, in a joint statement, condemned the arrest of the nine protesters, terming it an unlawful and excessive use of force against peaceful demonstrators.

The groups argued that the response to citizens raising concerns about Nairobi National Park showed a growing threat to civic space and democratic participation.

“The use of force against citizens exercising their constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, expression, and public participation is unacceptable. The arrests and reported acts of intimidation against those raising legitimate concerns about the future of Nairobi National Park represent a dangerous assault on civic space and democratic participation," the groups said.

They called for the immediate and unconditional release of all those arrested and urged authorities to protect the right to peaceful assembly as provided for under the Constitution and international human rights law.

“We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those arrested and urge authorities to respect, protect, and facilitate the right to peaceful assembly as guaranteed under the Constitution of Kenya and international human rights law," reads the statement.

The groups also noted that the Nairobi National Park should not be subjected to any development decisions made without public participation, insisting that the park is a national heritage and environmental treasure.

“We stand in solidarity with citizens defending Nairobi National Park and the right to public participation in decisions that affect our shared environment. We want to categorically state that Nairobi National Park is not for sale. Our public spaces, our environment, and our rights cannot be traded away behind closed doors," the groups added.

They added that the matter goes beyond land, saying it touches on accountability, transparency and the right of citizens to be heard in decisions affecting public resources.

“This is about more than land. It is about power, accountability, transparency, and the right of people to be heard. When citizens raise concerns about decisions that may permanently alter a national treasure, the response of the state must be engagement and accountability, not arrests, violence, and repression," they said.

The lobby's also defended Nairobi National Park as a unique ecological site and warned against any plans that could affect its integrity, calling for full public participation and environmental scrutiny before any decisions are made.

They warned that continued shrinking of civic space and use of force against protesters weakens the rule of law and public trust in institutions, adding that protecting the environment and protecting rights are linked.