'This is our heritage!' - Kenya's ex-justice chief detained as clashes erupt at protest against parking lot construction at Nairobi National Park

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'This is our heritage!' - Kenya's ex-justice chief detained as clashes erupt at protest against parking lot construction at Nairobi National Park

"Clashes erupted in Nairobi on Monday after climate activists marched against the construction of a parking spot in Nairobi National Park. Footage shows protesters holding tree saplings and placards bearing slogans such as ‘We are losing the park piece by piece!,’ 'Short term profits, permanent losses,' ‘Protected land is not for Sale,’ and 'Stop paving paradise' as they march through the city. Police used tear gas as they forcefully detained several activists who were marching towards Nairobi National Park to submit a petition challenging the construction of a parking project within the park. Among them was former justice chief David Maraga. "What we cannot replace is biodiversity once it's lost. And let us be clear, what is happening here is not an isolated case. It is part of a troubling pattern that we see across our country,” Chairperson of the Greenbelt Movement, Nyaguthii Chege, said. "We are told that this is necessary for convenience and growth. But I ask, growth for what and at what cost? Nairobi National Park is not an empty space waiting to be developed. It is a living ecosystem," Chege added. She urged the government to explore alternative solutions rather than cutting trees. Retired Chief Justice of Kenya David Maraga called on the government to halt the project immediately, while referring to the national park as a 'heritage.' "The leadership of this country must be alive to this and we demand that this proposed project be stopped immediately," Maraga said, who was reportedly arrested during sit-in demonstration. Nairobi National Park is the only large protected savannah ecosystem and spans over 117 square kilometres near the Kenyan capital. The park is one of the major tourist attractions and is managed by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). The Kenyan government recently announced it would clear up to 100 acres (40.5 ha) of the national park to pave the way for construction of several projects, including a car park and a new animal orphanage."

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