The former Chief Justice was dressed in a green T-shirt associated with the United Green Movement party and carried twigs as part of the symbolic protest.
Former Kenyan Chief Justice David Maraga was briefly detained on Monday after joining environmental activists protesting a government proposal to allocate part of Nairobi National Park for development projects linked to the expansion of Bomas of Kenya.
The demonstration took place along Lang’ata Road near the Bomas of Kenya complex, where campaigners had assembled to submit a petition to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). Protesters are opposing plans to excise 76 acres from the national park to facilitate the expansion of the Bomas of Kenya cultural centre and the relocation of the Nairobi Animal Orphanage.
The proposed redevelopment, estimated to cost Ksh.41.9 billion, has drawn criticism from conservation groups, who argue that the move threatens one of the world’s few national parks located within a capital city.
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Witnesses said security officers in plain clothes moved in during the protest and arrested Maraga together with several activists. Reports from organisers indicated that at least nine people were taken into custody and transported to Lang’ata Police Station.
Activist Njeri Mwangi said demonstrators were concerned about the lack of public consultation regarding the project. She argued that using protected park land for facilities such as parking infrastructure would set a dangerous precedent for conservation efforts.
Footage shared on social media showed Maraga being escorted into a police vehicle while supporters chanted slogans in defence of the park. The former Chief Justice was dressed in a green T-shirt associated with the United Green Movement party and carried twigs as part of the symbolic protest.
Although he was later released, Maraga reportedly remained at the police station in solidarity with other detainees, insisting that he would not leave until everyone arrested during the demonstration had been freed.
The controversy has intensified public scrutiny of the government’s broader plan to transform Bomas of Kenya into a modern international convention and cultural centre, a project estimated at nearly Ksh.42 billion. Lawmakers on the National Assembly’s Tourism and Wildlife Committee have previously questioned both the project’s cost and its implementation process.
Environmental campaigners warn that reducing the size of Nairobi National Park could have long-term consequences for wildlife conservation and Kenya’s environmental reputation.
Maraga, who has declared his intention to run for president in the 2027 elections, has recently become increasingly involved in public advocacy campaigns. He has participated in several demonstrations on governance and social issues, including protests against gender-based violence.
The incident has reignited debate over how Kenya should balance economic development with environmental protection and public involvement in major policy decisions.
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