Kenya's former Chief Justice, David Maraga, has been arrested while protesting, among other things, what activists allege is a plan to build a car park on protected land belonging to a wildlife sanctuary in the capital, Nairobi.

He was among a group of demonstrators marching along a road near the Nairobi National Park.

The 117-sq-km (45-sq-mile) site is a popular conservation area and tourist spot within Nairobi.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), which runs the park, is accused of giving a portion of the land to a neighbouring convention centre and of planning to build a large new animal orphanage within the site. The KWS has vigorously defended its plans.

It says the relocated and expanded orphanage will improve animal welfare and veterinary training and allow for a better visitor experience.

It will occupy an 89-acre site within the park - 0.31% of its total area, according to a KWS official quoted by the Star newspaper.

Social media videos show police breaking up Monday's protest and detaining a group of demonstrators who were filmed sitting in the middle of a two-lane highway.

Maraga, dressed in the colours of his United Green Movement party, can be seen being helped into the back of a lorry as people around him shout: "Long live the park."

The former chief justice, who hopes to run for president in the 2027 election, was arrested along with nine others. He has since been released but is refusing to leave the police station until the other activists have been freed.

The police have not released an official statement about the arrests.

Posting on X about the protest and his detention Maraga said he was held with "fellow patriotic Kenyans" who wanted to present a petition to KWS against the construction of a car park for 1,300 vehicles.

"Our national heritage and environment must be safeguarded from greed and unnecessary destruction without public participation," he added.

The KWS has not commented on the allegation about the car park but said that the public had been consulted about the plan to constrict a new orphanage.

Human rights group Amnesty International has "strongly" condemned the arrests of "peaceful protesters" following what it called a "violent dispersal".

"The use of force against citizens exercising their constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, expression, and public participation is unacceptable," it said in a joint statement with environmental groups.

Signatories included Greenpeace Africa, Friends of Nairobi National Park and The Green Belt Movement.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Tags:

Kenya arrests former Chief Justice as protest builds in national park

Suggested for you

More Stories

Gold price falls as Treasury yields rise

Airline CEOs warn EU carbon cost plan will increase fares

Oil prices increase slightly as investors wait for clear statements after Iran-Israel ceasefire

ECOWAS speeds up AfCFTA implementation as trade issues increase in West Africa

President bans officials from accepting private awards

Central banks buy 17 tonnes of gold for April as Poland and China lead the buying

Discussion