LAPA stands against threats to Nairobi National Park

Lawyers for Animal Protection in Africa (LAPA) categorically rejects and condemns the recent remarks made by Francis Atwoli suggesting the repurposing or development of portions of Nairobi National Park. These statements reflect a dangerous disregard for Kenya's constitutional obligations, international environmental commitments, and the long-term rights of Kenyans to a healthy and protected natural heritage.

Nairobi National Park, Kenya's first national park, was gazetted in December 1946. Spanning a unique blend of urban and wilderness landscapes just 7 km from Nairobi's CBD, it protects different animal species as well as diverse ecosystems - it is not simply a patch of land—it is a globally recognized ecological sanctuary, an irreplaceable haven for wildlife, and a living classroom for future generations. It stands as a rare urban wilderness, contributing not only to biodiversity but to climate regulation, cultural identity, and national pride.

The Park is protected under Article 42 of Kenya's Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to a clean and healthy environment, and imposes a duty on the state to safeguard biodiversity and ensure sustainable use of natural resources. The casual and reckless suggestion that the Park's land could be repurposed for development ignores the clear provisions of the Constitution, the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013, and multiple binding international conventions to which Kenya is a signatory, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Any attempt to alter the park's protected status for non-conservation purposes is not only legally indefensible but sets a dangerous precedent that places all Kenya's protected areas at risk.

LAPA strongly emphasizes that our natural heritage is not for sale, negotiation, or political gamesmanship. Nairobi National Park belongs to all Kenyans, not a select few with narrow short-term interests. We call upon all arms of government, civil society, and the people of Kenya to remain vigilant and steadfast in defending the integrity of our national parks, protected areas, and wildlife corridors.

LAPA will not hesitate to pursue all available legal avenues, both nationally and internationally, to challenge any unlawful or unconstitutional actions that threaten the sanctity of Nairobi National Park. The protection of nature is not a luxury—it is a duty we owe to our children, our nation, and the world. Nature has no voice — but we do. And we will use it.