While we understand that Nairobi is a rapidly growing city, we must also confront the fact that it is poorly planned and managed. There is enormous potential to improve how the city uses its existing space without sacrificing our protected natural areas. Urban development should never be used as an excuse to encroach on spaces that are critical to our national identity, our biodiversity, and our future.

Nairobi National Park is sacred. It is the only national park in the world within a capital city  and it plays a key role in moderating the microclimate of our city, keeping the air and water clean. Nairobi is consistently voted one of the most livable cities in the world, a testament to Kenya’s extraordinary leadership in conservation. The park provides essential habitat for wildlife, acts as a carbon sink, supports thousands of livelihoods through tourism, and offers immense recreational, educational, and scientific value to Kenyans and visitors alike.

Repurposing even a fraction of this park would set a dangerous precedent, undermining the integrity of protected areas across the country. It would be a violation of Article 69 of our Constitution, which obliges the State to manage and conserve the environment for the benefit of present and future generations.

As we face accelerating threats from climate change, habitat loss, and biodiversity collapse, we must be unwavering in our defense of Kenya’s natural heritage. Now is the time to strengthen not erode our protected areas.

We therefore call on all Kenyans  from schoolchildren to CEOs, artists to athletes, religious leaders to policymakers to stand up and say “No” to Atwoli’s proposal. Let us make it clear that Nairobi National Park is not up for negotiation.

We urge William Ruto, the President of Kenya, and Johnson Sakaja, the Governor of Nairobi, as well as corporate leaders, government agencies, conservation organizations, and citizens across the country to publicly reaffirm their commitment to protecting this unique and irreplaceable landscape. Nairobi National Park must remain untouched not just for us, but for generations to come.

To learn more, visit www.wildlifedirect.org or follow @WildlifeDirect.