By Ongaga Ongaga
Chief Justice (CJ) Emeritus David Maraga has condemned what he described as violent and unlawful police action against peaceful demonstrators in Nairobi, calling it a blatant violation of constitutional rights.
In a statement issued from Lang’ata Police Station on June 8, 2026, Maraga recounted how members of the United Green Movement (UGM) were attacked and arrested during a lawful procession aimed at protecting part of the Nairobi National Park from controversial development.
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He had been held alongside nine others at the station for the better part of the day after he was arrested during protests against alleged grabing of part of the Nairobi National Park.
Maraga, who is the UGM Party Co-Party Leader and 2027 Presidential Flag bearer, said the protest had been duly authorized yet was met with force.
“The sheer force of the state’s response to a handful of peaceful citizens exercising their right to dissent is abhorrent and unacceptable,” he declared, adding that nine fellow citizens were detained without charges.
He accused the government of using repression to divide Kenyans along class and ethnic lines, insisting that he would not be a pawn in such tactics.
“The police cannot operate outside the law they are sworn to uphold. The government must stop this subversion of the law and assaults on constitutional rights,” Maraga stated.
The former Chief Justice described the incident as a defining moment for Kenya, urging citizens to rise in defense of democracy.
“We must all rise to defend our Constitution and freedom, and restore our nation to the rule of law, equality and justice for all regardless of social status, privilege, age, gender, color or ethnicity,” he said.
Maraga thanked supporters for their solidarity and vowed to continue championing lawful democratic expression.
