Former CJ Maraga among several arrested over Nairobi National Park land protest

Former Chief Justice David Maraga among protesters arrested during demonstrations against plan to excise 76 acres of Nairobi National Park for Bomas parking lot. (Screengrab)

By Lucy Mumbi
Monday, June 8, 2026

The protesters had gathered to reject the proposal to allocate part of the park’s land, arguing that the move would undermine wildlife conservation efforts and could open the door to continued encroachment into protected ecosystems.

Several people, including Former Chief Justice David Maraga, are among those who were arrested on Monday during protests over the proposed excision of 76 acres of protected land within Nairobi National Park.

The protesters had gathered to reject the proposal to allocate part of the park’s land, arguing that the move would undermine wildlife conservation efforts and could open the door to continued encroachment into protected ecosystems.

Video circulating online showed the former Chief Justice together with members of his team attempting to take cover from possible police action outside the park area. Several minutes later, he was bundled into a police lorry before being taken to Lang'ata Police Station.

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Activists accused government authorities of weakening environmental protection laws, calling for an immediate halt to any plans aimed at altering the park’s boundaries.

Eyewitness accounts indicated that police officers moved in to disperse the gathering before arresting multiple participants, among them Maraga, who has recently been outspoken on governance, constitutionalism and environmental protection matters.

The arrests drew sharp criticism from conservation groups and civil society organisations, which said the demonstration had been peaceful and was focused on protecting one of the country’s most critical wildlife habitats.

Nairobi National Park, located on the edge of the capital, remains a key conservation area hosting diverse wildlife species despite growing pressure from urban expansion and infrastructure development.

Environmental advocates have consistently warned against breaking up wildlife corridors and degrading protected ecosystems, cautioning that continued excisions could harm biodiversity, reduce tourism potential, and weaken Kenya’s conservation framework.