Chief Justice Emeritus David Maraga has praised a court ruling that issued an interim order halting construction works within Nairobi National Park. The Environment and Land Court, presided over by Justice Grace Kemei, 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. This decision was made pending the hearing and determination of a case challenging a proposed car park, access road, pedestrian bridge, and relocation of the Nairobi Animal Orphanage within the protected ecosystem.
The case was filed by Friends of Nairobi National Park, Just Act Kenya, and the Green Belt Movement at the Environment & Land Court. The petition was publicly supported by 4,642 Kenyans who signed a public petition and have been protesting the encroachment of the iconic park. Maraga, the United Green Movement co-party leader and 2027 presidential flag bearer, described the ruling as a "monumental triumph of constitutionalism over executive lawlessness." He emphasized that when leaders treat the Constitution as optional, it is the people who must rise to defend it.
Maraga highlighted that the ruling upheld Article 42, which guarantees every Kenyan a clean and healthy environment, and Article 69, which obliges the State to protect natural resources. He stressed that Nairobi National Park is not empty land awaiting development but critical national infrastructure and the ecological lifeline of the capital. Maraga was arrested on June 8, 2026, alongside other Kenyans during peaceful protests against construction inside the park. He praised young Kenyans who faced tear gas and arrests while petitioning the Kenya Wildlife Service and planting trees.
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. This agenda promises green jobs, ecosystem restoration, climate-smart agriculture, and clean energy. Maraga's presidential campaign emphasizes the importance of protecting Kenya's natural resources and promoting sustainable development.
The proposed construction within Nairobi National Park has sparked controversy and public outcry. The park is a protected ecosystem and a key tourist attraction in Kenya. The court's decision to halt construction works has been seen as a victory for environmental conservation and citizen activism. Maraga's involvement in the case has highlighted the importance of protecting Kenya's natural resources and promoting sustainable development.
Maraga's Green Leap agenda has gained significant attention, particularly among young Kenyans who are concerned about the country's environmental future. His pledge to prioritize green jobs, ecosystem restoration, and climate-smart agriculture resonates with many Kenyans who are seeking a more sustainable and environmentally conscious approach to development. The court's ruling has also been seen as a boost to Maraga's presidential campaign, which emphasizes the importance of protecting Kenya's natural resources.
Maraga concluded that while the battle to protect Nairobi National Park has been won, the war to protect Kenya's future continues. He urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and organized in defending the country's natural resources. The court's ruling has set a precedent for environmental conservation and citizen activism in Kenya, and Maraga's Green Leap agenda is expected to be a key part of his presidential campaign.
Key points
- The court ruling upheld Articles 42 and 69 of the Kenyan Constitution, guaranteeing every Kenyan a clean and healthy environment and obliging the State to protect natural resources.
