Kenya’s former chief justice David Maraga was arrested today at a protest against the development of a highway through the Nairobi National Park. The protest, organised by environmental groups and local activists, sought to halt construction of the 27-kilometre road that would bisect the wildlife sanctuary, home to lions, rhinos, and giraffes. Maraga, who served as chief justice from 2016 to 2021 and is known for his robust defence of the rule of law, was detained alongside dozens of others after police moved in to disperse the crowd. The arrest has sparked outrage among opposition figures, who see it as a sign of growing authoritarianism under President William Ruto’s administration.
The highway project, part of a larger infrastructure push, has been condemned by conservationists who argue it will fragment the park and disrupt animal migration routes. The government insists it will boost economic activity and reduce traffic congestion. However, critics point to a pattern of land grabs on public and protected spaces, often benefiting connected individuals. Maraga’s involvement lent the protest a judicial weight, and his arrest raises questions about the independence of institutions under the current government. The former chief justice, who famously annulled the 2017 presidential election over irregularities, remains in custody as of this evening. His supporters have called for his immediate release, while the police cite obstruction of public works as grounds for the arrest.
For Kenyans watching this unfold, the incident strikes at a deeper unease: the erosion of public trust in those who govern. The park is a cherished national asset, a green lung in a city straining under its own growth. To see a highway built through it feels like a bet against the future. And to see a former chief justice handcuffed for trying to stop it? That is a sign that even the guardians of the constitution are not safe when they stand in the way of power. The kitchen table in Nairobi tonight will be discussing whether the law still protects the land, or whether it protects only those who build on it.
