At least 4,600 Kenyans have filed a petition at the Environment and Land Court seeking to halt ongoing developments in Nairobi National Park until the developers fully comply with the constitution and environmental laws.

Filed under the Save Nairobi National Park Campaign, the petition challenges developments associated with the expansion of the Nairobi Animal Orphanage and supporting infrastructure. The court has certified the matter as urgent and scheduled an inter-partes hearing for July 14.

Importantly, the petitioners state that they are not opposed to development but want projects within the protected area undertaken lawfully, transparently and with meaningful public participation.

They also question whether all statutory approvals and environmental requirements were fully met before construction began.

According to the campaign, concerns arose after land clearance works started in the park, prompting citizens to seek information and dialogue from the relevant authorities.

The campaign says the case is aimed at safeguarding one of Kenya’s most important protected ecosystems for present and future generations.

Speaking on behalf of the campaign in a press statement, a spokesperson said, “No generation has the right to steal the inheritance of the next. We did not create Nairobi National Park. We inherited it. Our responsibility is to leave it standing for those who inherit Kenya after us.”

The campaign urged Kenyans to remain peaceful, respect the judicial process and continue protecting the country’s natural heritage through lawful and constitutional means.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Sallo Gobana