KENYA EX-CHIEF JUSTICE ARRESTED AT NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK PROTEST

Kenya's former Chief Justice David Maraga has been arrested during a demonstration near Nairobi National Park. Maraga, wearing the colours of his United Green Movement party, was filmed being helped into the back of a lorry as protesters around him chanted "Long live the park." He was detained alongside nine others after police broke up the march, which took place along a road bordering the 117-square-kilometre conservation area. Maraga has since been released but has refused to leave the police station until the remaining activists are freed.

The protest centred on allegations that the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), which manages the park, granted a portion of its land to a neighbouring convention centre and is planning to build a large animal orphanage within the park's boundaries. Demonstrators also sought to present a petition to KWS opposing the construction of a car park for 1,300 vehicles. KWS has defended its orphanage plans, stating the relocated facility will occupy 89 acres — 0.31 per cent of the park's total area — and will improve animal welfare, veterinary training, and the visitor experience. KWS has not responded to the specific allegation regarding the car park but says the public was consulted on the orphanage proposal.

Amnesty International has strongly condemned the arrests, describing the police response as a violent dispersal of peaceful protesters. The police have not issued an official statement about the detentions. Maraga posted on X that he and fellow demonstrators were held for attempting to petition KWS against construction that lacked public participation. Nairobi National Park is a protected wildlife sanctuary and tourist destination situated within the capital.