Maraga recounts arrest ordeal after release from police custody
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, June 9, 2026Former Chief Justice and 2027 presidential aspirant David Maraga has detailed the account of his arrest during protests against the proposed excision of part of Nairobi National Park on Monday, June 8, 2026, accusing police of using excessive force against peaceful demonstrators.
In a statement issued after his release from Lang’ata police station on Monday, June 8, 2026, Maraga said he had joined members of the United Green Movement and other environmental activists in a peaceful march to oppose what he described as the unlawful alienation of land from the park.
“Today, the United Green Movement, standing in solidarity with fellow environmentalists to protect a vital national treasure, marched peacefully to protest the alienation of part of the Nairobi National Park for controversial development. Our assembly and procession were entirely lawful and peaceful in the exercise of our fundamental democratic rights enshrined in our Constitution,” Maraga stated.
According to Maraga, the protesters were headed to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) headquarters to present a petition challenging the planned excision of 89 acres of the park for the construction of a 1,300-capacity car park and the relocation of the animal orphanage.
He maintained that the demonstration was lawful and conducted in accordance with constitutional rights to assembly and expression.
“As citizens exercising our civic duty, we deserved protection and a safe escort to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) headquarters to present our petition against the unprocedural excision of 89 acres ostensibly for the development of a 1300-capacity car park and the relocation of the animal orphanage from its current site,” he added.
The former Chief Justice claimed that police had initially approved the procession before turning on the protesters shortly after the march began.
Maraga further stated that officers in plain clothes and armed police personnel descended on the group, disrupting the march and arresting participants despite them being unarmed.
Maraga: Police violated the constitution
In his statement, the presidential hopeful in the upcoming general elections in 2027 condemned what he termed a heavy-handed response by the state, saying the actions of police amounted to a violation of constitutional freedoms.
“The sheer force of the state’s response to a handful of peaceful citizens exercising their right to dissent is abhorrent and unacceptable,” he stated.
Maraga further revealed that although he was released shortly after his arrest, nine fellow activists who had been arrested alongside him were booked at Lang’ata Police Station without any specific charges being preferred against them.
He argued that the incident reflected a worrying trend of abuse of power and disregard for the rule of law.
“The police cannot operate outside the law they are sworn to uphold. The government must stop this subversion of the law and assaults on constitutional rights,” he said.
The former Chief Justice called on Kenyans to defend the Constitution and uphold democratic freedoms, describing the events surrounding the protest as a defining moment for the country.
Maraga’s arrest
Maraga was arrested alongside nine other activists during demonstrations opposing plans to excise part of Nairobi National Park. The protest has sparked renewed debate over conservation, public participation, and the handling of peaceful demonstrations by security agencies.
Videos circulating online showed Maraga being bundled into a police lorry alongside other activists after protesters blocked a section of Lang’ata Road during the demonstrations.