Francis Atwoli thinks Nairobi has outgrown its famous wildlife sanctuary.

On Sunday, the veteran trade-union boss urged the government to relocate every animal from Nairobi National Park to the Maasai Mara and free up land for wider highways, new industrial parks, and housing to keep pace with the city’s swelling population.

The proposal came as Atwoli responded to Karen residents fighting a 12.5-kilometre commuter-rail link between Riruta and Ngong. He argued that public objections to projects like the railway illustrate why older parcels of green space – including parks and forests – must sometimes give way to development.

“Even the national park, where we have animals, must be used to develop Nairobi. We need a new Nairobi with roads, facilities, and proper industrial parks because it is only Nairobi that has not been decongested in Africa,” Atwoli said.

Atwoli painted an exaggerated picture of Nairobi’s growth, claiming the city now hosts nearly 15 million people, up from about 200,000 in his youth. Without fresh land, he warned, infrastructure will buckle under the strain.

Conservationists quickly pushed back, reminding Kenyans that Nairobi National Park – established in 1946 and famed as the world’s only wildlife reserve inside a capital – draws thousands of tourists every year.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano recently touted plans for new park entry points, saying, “These enhancements are part of our commitment to creating a world-class experience for you while preserving the park’s incredible wildlife.”

Online, #SaveNairobiPark trended within hours as critics blasted Atwoli for prioritizing concrete over conservation.

Atwoli’s vision is however very unlikely to be implemented.