Kenya's ex-chief justice arrested at protest against building on national park

Kenya's former Chief Justice David Maraga has been arrested while protesting against, among other things, what activists are alleging is a plan to build a car park on protected land belonging to a wildlife sanctuary in the capital, Nairobi.

He was among a group of demonstrators who were marching along a road running close to the Nairobi National Park.

The 117-sq-km (45-sq-mile) site is a popular conservation area and tourist spot within Nairobi.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), which runs the park, is accused of giving a portion of the land to a neighbouring convention centre as well as planning to build a large new animal orphanage within the site. The KWS has vigorously defended its plans.

It says the relocated and expanded orphanage will improve animal welfare and veterinary training, as well as allow for a better visitor experience.

It will occupy an 89-acre site within the park - 0.31% of its total area, according to a KWS official quoted by the Star newspaper.

Social media videos show police breaking up Monday's protest and detaining a group of demonstrators who were filmed sitting in the middle of a two-lane highway.

Maraga, dressed in the colours of his United Green Movement party, can be seen being helped into the back of a lorry as people around him shout: "Long live the park."