Riot police fired tear gas to disperse ​scores of protesters rallying on Monday ‌against plans to build on part of a national park in Kenya’s capital.
Officers moved in and ​arrested at least nine people, including former ​Chief Justice David Maraga, outside the ⁠main entrance of Nairobi National Park, Reuters ​reporters said.
The Kenya Wildlife Service has defended ​the project, saying it will expand an animal orphanage on the site, Africa’s only wildlife reserve within ​a capital city.
Protesters – who waved placards ​marked with “Nature is not vacant land” and other slogans – ‌say ⁠the plans, including a parking area for more than 1,000 vehicles, will encroach on one of Kenya’s most famous protected areas.
The ​park lies ​just 10 km (6 ⁠miles) from Nairobi’s central business district. Rhinos, lions, buffalo and leopards ​can be seen against the ​backdrop ⁠of the city’s skyline.
“We are gathered here because Nairobi National Park is once again under ⁠threat,” ​activist Nyaguthii Chege told ​reporters at the scene.