Former Chief Justice David Maraga and other protesters arrested during demonstrations against an infrastructure project inside Nairobi National Park should be immediately released, according to civil society groups.
Police denied making any arrests, stating that the group was helped from the road to the station to file their petition.
“He was assisted to the station to petition. Those accompanying him joined him voluntarily. No arrests were made,” said an officer at the scene.
The group was transported to the station in a police truck.
Despite this, Friends of Nairobi National Park, Just Act, United Green Movement Party, The Green Belt Movement, Amnesty International Kenya, and Greenpeace Africa demanded their release.
They strongly condemned the arrest of nine peaceful protesters, including Maraga, and the violent dispersal of a peaceful procession of environmental defenders, students, and human rights activists advocating for the protection of Nairobi National Park.
“The use of force against citizens exercising their constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, expression, and public participation is unacceptable. The arrests and reported intimidation against those raising legitimate concerns about Nairobi National Park’s future represent a dangerous assault on civic space and democratic participation,” the civil society groups stated in their joint statement.
Maraga was reportedly arrested on Monday during demonstrations opposing a controversial infrastructure project inside Nairobi National Park.
The former Chief Justice was among a group of environmental activists, conservationists, and concerned citizens who had gathered outside the park to protest plans that critics say threaten one of Kenya’s most important wildlife habitats.
Widely circulated videos on social media appeared to show the former Chief Justice being forced into a police vehicle with other demonstrators.
In their statement, the civil society groups demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all those arrested and urged authorities to respect, protect, and facilitate the right to peaceful assembly as guaranteed under the Constitution of Kenya and international human rights law.
“We stand in solidarity with citizens defending Nairobi National Park and the right to public participation in decisions affecting our shared environment. We want to clearly state that Nairobi National Park is not for sale. Our public spaces, our environment, and our rights cannot be traded away behind closed doors,” the statement read.
They emphasized that Nairobi National Park is a unique ecological heritage, the world’s only national park bordering a capital city, and a critical refuge for wildlife, biodiversity, and future generations.
The groups insisted that any plans threatening the park’s integrity must be subjected to meaningful public participation, environmental scrutiny, and full transparency.
“Decisions concerning protected public resources cannot be made without the informed consent and involvement of the Kenyan people.”