Former CJ David Maraga Arrested During Protest at Nairobi National Park
The former Chief Justice of Kenya, David Maraga, has been detained.
On the morning of Monday, June 8, the former Chief Justice was hustled into a police car, just moments after launching a demonstration against proposed infrastructure work in Nairobi National Park.
Footage uploaded online shows the former CJ and his campaign crew attempting to hide from potential police action outside Nairobi National Park.
In addition to the former Chief Justice, nine other demonstrators have been arrested.
Former CJ David Maraga arrested while protesting the construction of a parking lot inside the Nairobi National Park. pic.twitter.com/1wsRwBqst8— Ian Wafula (@Ian_Wafula) June 8, 2026
BREAKING: David Maraga has this morning been arrested while participating in a peaceful procession to protect Nairobi National Park from the proposed construction of a 1,300-car parking facility.
📌 Langata Police station
Protecting our national heritage is not a crime!
Long… pic.twitter.com/u178PdihyD— United Green Movement (@UGMParty) June 8, 2026
In addition to the arrests, police confiscated items belonging to journalists covering the report on a probable building in the ancient park, according to former BBC journalist Ian Wafula.
“We found evidence of construction going on inside the Nairobi National Park, but KWS just confiscated our drone,” stated Wafula.
“Currently, protests by lobby groups and environmentalists are going on over the construction.”
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is clearing approximately 76 acres of indigenous upland forest inside Nairobi National Park.
This follows a National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) license approving the conversion of 31 hectares previously classified as a protected Low Use Zone.
The cleared land will house a relocated Nairobi Animal Orphanage, featuring modern wildlife hospital facilities and more natural enclosures.
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Additionally, an 8-acre parking lot to serve both the orphanage and the nearby Ksh41.9 billion Bomas International Convention Centre (BICC).
A pedestrian overpass across Lang’ata Road is also planned, linking the park’s new conservation space directly to the commercial convention complex.
This raises questions among critics about the boundary between wildlife conservation and large-scale commercial infrastructure.
Conservation groups and environmentalists have pushed back sharply, arguing the clearing threatens fragile ecosystems and violates park zoning rules and existence for future generations.
Friends of Nairobi National Park has since petitioned the Senate and filed High Court cases citing irregular procurement and inadequate public participation.
Former CJ David Maraga Arrested During Protest at Nairobi National Park
