The case is challenging a proposed car park, access road, pedestrian bridge, and relocation of the Nairobi Animal Orphanage within the protected ecosystem.

Former Chief Justice David Maraga is arrested in June 2026 while protesting commercial construction inside Nairobi National Park. On October 27, 2026, the Environment and Land Court ruled in favour of Maraga and 4,642 Kenyans, halting the disputed works for four months/Photo by SIRUEL ONG'ERA

Chief Justice Emeritus David Maraga has hailed a court ruling which issued an interim order halting construction works within Nairobi National Park as a victory for Kenyans, constitutionalism, and citizen power. “This is a monumental triumph of constitutionalism over executive lawlessness,” said Maraga, the United Green Movement co-party leader and 2027 presidential flag bearer. “When leaders treat the Constitution as optional, it is the people who must rise to defend it.” The Environment and Land Court, presided over by Justice Grace Kemei, on October 27, 2026, barred contractors from clearing vegetation, cutting trees, excavating, grading land, erecting fences, or constructing roads in the disputed section of the park for four months pending the hearing and determination of the case. The orders followed a court petition by Friends of Nairobi National Park, Just Act Kenya, and the Green Belt Movement at the Environment & Land Court.

The move is publicly supported by 4,642 Kenyans who have signed a public petition and have been protesting the encroachment of the iconic park.

He praised young Kenyans who faced tear gas and arrests while petitioning the Kenya Wildlife Service and planting trees, urging the KWS Board to resist political interference and uphold the Constitution.

Maraga accused the Ruto administration of pursuing commercial infrastructure in the park while presenting Kenya globally as a climate leader. As the first former Chief Justice to seek the presidency, he pledged a Green Leap agenda anchored on Ukatiba—constitutionalism—and Utu—human dignity, promising green jobs, ecosystem restoration, climate-smart agriculture, and clean energy. “We have won this battle, but the war to protect our future continues,” Maraga said. “Today we celebrate; tomorrow, we organise and protect Kenya’s future.”