Former Chief Justice David Maraga was on Monday arrested during a protest against plans to hive off 76 acres of Nairobi National Park for the expansion of Bomas of Kenya and the relocation of the Nairobi Animal Orphanage.
Maraga, who was demonstrating alongside environmental activists and conservation campaigners near Bomas of Kenya along Lang’ata Road, was apprehended by plain-clothes police officers together with several other protesters.
The demonstration was sparked by proposals by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to allocate part of the park for the Sh41.9 billion Bomas of Kenya expansion project, which includes the construction of the Bomas International Convention Centre (BICC) and the relocation of the decades-old animal orphanage.
According to activist Njeri Mwangi, nine people, including Maraga, were arrested and taken to Lang’ata Police Station.
The protesters opposed the planned subdivision of the park, arguing that the land is a protected national heritage site and should not be used for development projects.
“We know they plan to use 76 acres to build a parking space and it should not happen because it did not have any public participation. We came here to stop the action. This is the only park in the capital city and we are against it,” she said.
“I have been informed they have taken him to the Lang’ata police station. Nine people have been arrested and we do not know their offence.”
Maraga was later released, although several activists remained in custody. The former Chief Justice reportedly declined to leave the police station until those still being held were freed.
The arrests come amid growing scrutiny of the proposed Bomas International Convention Centre project, which has attracted criticism over its estimated cost of about Sh42 billion.
Members of the National Assembly’s Tourism and Wildlife Committee have questioned the amount allocated to the project, arguing that it appears excessive compared to similar convention facilities in the region.
The redevelopment of Bomas of Kenya and construction of the BICC is among the flagship projects being championed by President William Ruto’s administration as part of efforts to position Kenya as a leading destination for international conferences and exhibitions.
Meanwhile, conservationists and activists continue to demand greater public participation and transparency regarding any plans that could affect Nairobi National Park, the country’s only national park located within a capital city.
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