Former Kenyan Chief Justice Detained at National Park Protest
WHO:
AP News - David Maraga was wearing a green T-shirt similar to those worn by other activists during the protest.
BBC News - David Maraga, Kenya's former Chief Justice, was arrested.
ABC News World - David Maraga was arrested alongside other activists.
WHAT:
AP News - Police fired tear gas canisters at the protesters who were marching outside the park while carrying banners with messages denouncing land grabs.
AP News - Maraga was detained and later released while staging a sit-in on a major road outside the national park’s main gate.
AP News - Hundreds of activists joined the protest against the planned construction inside the park and the relocation of an orphanage.
BBC News - Activists allege there is a plan to build a car park on protected land.
ABC News World - The protest was against planned construction inside Nairobi National Park.
WHERE:
BBC News - The protest took place at Nairobi National Park, which is a wildlife sanctuary.
ABC News World - The location of the planned construction is inside Nairobi National Park.
WHY:
AP News - Maraga stated on X that he was arrested while heading to present a petition to the Kenya Wildlife Service, emphasizing the need to safeguard national heritage and environment from greed and destruction without public participation.
AP News - Amnesty International in Kenya expressed solidarity with the protesters, stating that Nairobi National Park is not for sale and that public spaces, environment, and rights cannot be traded away behind closed doors.
BBC News - The protest was motivated by concerns over the construction on protected land belonging to a wildlife sanctuary.
HOW:
AP News - The Kenya Wildlife Service defended the construction as part of a plan to expand the orphanage and improve the visitor experience, effectively dismissing claims of land grabbing.
ABC News World - The method of protest involved gathering activists to oppose the construction plans.
(UPDATED June 9, 2026 06:19 UTC)
David Maraga, wearing a green T-shirt like many other activists, was detained during a protest against the planned construction inside Nairobi National Park, where hundreds of demonstrators marched while carrying banners denouncing land grabs. The police responded by firing tear gas canisters at the protesters, but Maraga was later released after staging a sit-in outside the park’s main gate, where he aimed to present a petition to the Kenya Wildlife Service. In a statement on X, Maraga highlighted the importance of protecting national heritage and the environment, while Amnesty International in Kenya voiced support for the protesters, insisting that public spaces and rights should not be compromised.
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(UPDATED June 8, 2026 19:43 UTC)
David Maraga, Kenya's former Chief Justice, was arrested along with other activists during a protest at Nairobi National Park, which is a protected wildlife sanctuary. The demonstrators are opposing plans to build a car park inside the park, raising concerns about the impact on the protected land. This protest reflects a growing movement to safeguard wildlife habitats from development projects.