President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Charles Kanjama has condemned the arrest of former Chief Justice David Maraga and environmental activists who were protesting the claim of irregular allocation of 76 acres of Nairobi National Park.

The incident, which occurred during demonstrations opposing a controversial infrastructure expansion, has sparked renewed debate over civic freedoms, public participation, and environmental protection in Kenya.

In a statement on Monday, June 8, 2026, Kanjama described the arrest as a direct assault on civic space guaranteed under Article 37 of the Constitution, arguing that the actions of the police went beyond lawful enforcement and into the suppression of constitutional rights.

“The Law Society of Kenya strongly condemns the shocking arrest of Chief Justice Emeritus David Maraga and environmental activists protesting the irregular allocation of 76 acres of Nairobi National Park,” Kanjama said.

“Bundling a retired head of our Judiciary into a police vehicle for peacefully opposing a Sh42 billion project, reportedly pushed through without public participation, is a direct assault on the civic space guaranteed under Article 37 of the Constitution.”

He further warned against what he termed the weaponisation of police force against constitutional defenders, stressing that national heritage sites should not be treated as private assets subject to opaque transactions.

“National heritage sites are not state property to barter behind closed doors,” he added.

The LSK president confirmed that the organisation had dispatched a legal team to Lang’ata Police Station to secure the release of those detained. He also praised Maraga for what he called a principled stand on custody.

“I commend the CJ Emeritus for refusing to leave custody until all those arrested with him are freed,” Kanjama stated.

Release Maraga

The statement comes amid growing pressure from civil society organisations demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Maraga and other protesters.

The demonstrators had gathered to oppose developments linked to a major infrastructure project reportedly tied to the expansion of the Bomas of Kenya area, which critics argue could encroach on protected land within Nairobi National Park.

A coalition of environmental and human rights organisations, including Amnesty International Kenya, Greenpeace Africa, The Green Belt Movement, United Green Movement Party, Friends of Nairobi National Park, and Just Act. issued a joint statement condemning what they described as the violent dispersal of a lawful procession and the arrest of peaceful protesters.

“The use of force against citizens exercising their constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, expression, and public participation is unacceptable. The arrests and reported acts of intimidation against those raising legitimate concerns about the future of Nairobi National Park represent a dangerous assault on civic space and democratic participationm,” the coalition said.

They further insisted that the demonstrators were acting within their constitutional rights and should not have been subjected to intimidation or force. Videos circulating on social media appeared to show Maraga being escorted into a police vehicle alongside other protesters, intensifying public scrutiny of the police response.

Authorities, however, have denied that the former Chief Justice and others were arrested. Police maintained that the group was merely escorted to a police station to present a petition, a claim that has been disputed by civil society groups and legal observers.

The coalition called for the immediate release of all those held and urged authorities to respect constitutional guarantees of peaceful assembly.

“We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those arrested,” the statement read.

Beyond the immediate arrests, the organisations stressed that the dispute reflects deeper governance concerns over transparency and accountability in public land use.

“This is about more than land. It is about power, accountability, transparency, and the right of people to be heard,” they said.