Africa Judges and Jurists Forum is deeply concerned about the arrest of the Retired Chief Justice of Kenya, Hon David Maraga and 9 other environmental activists. On 8th of June 2026, the Retired Chief Justice Hon. David Maraga joined and led a group of environmental activists to peacefully protest against the re-allocation of 89 acres of land inside the Nairobi National Park towards the building of a vehicle parking lot for a Conference facility that is being built adjacent to the national park. Amongst other grievances, the Retired Chief Justice Hon David Maraga and other protesters are concerned that the decision to reallocate land which already forms part of a national park endangers wildlife conservation efforts and this decision was made without following due process, including without conducting sufficient public consultations as required under Kenya’s Constitution and environmental conservation legislation. The iconic Nairobi National Park is 90 years old and is the world’s only wildlife capital and Kenya’s first national park.
Retired Chief Justice Hon David Maraga was arrested and released by the police, but he refused to leave the police station demanding the release of other protesters with whom he had been arrested. Commenting on this, Africa Judges and Jurists Forum Secretary General Mr Martin Masiga said “AJJF expresses its solidarity with the progressive decision taken by the Retired Chief Justice David Maraga to refuse to walk away from the arbitrary detention of his fellow peaceful protesters. Peaceful protests are protected under both the Constitution of Kenya and international human rights law, and therefore, Hon Maraga has taken a progressive position to remain at the police station and demand the release of the 9 other protesters who are still being detained for exercising their basic constitutional rights and freedoms.”
Africa Judges and Jurists Forum calls upon the authorities to respect and fulfil the Republic of Kenya’s constitutional, regional and international obligations relating to freedom of assembly and peaceful protests. In particular, Africa Judges and Jurists Forum calls on authorities to immediately release the protesters that are currently in arbitrary detention. Retired Chief Justice David Maraga is a member of the Judicial Elders Council of the Africa Judges and Jurists Forum.
For more information contact:
Martin Masiga, Africa Judges and Jurists Secretary General
Tel: +256 753 954 308 | Email: okumu-masiga@africajurists.org