Nairobi, July 14 -- A legal battle has erupted over the government's plan to relocate the Nairobi animal orphanage to pave the way for the construction of a 1,300-vehicle parking facility, an access road and a pedestrian bridge inside Nairobi National Park.

A coalition of 4,640 citizens has moved to court to stop the project, citing alleged violations of environmental, wildlife and constitutional laws, lack of public participation and the unlawful conversion of protected park land.

The petitioners say the works form part of the wider redevelopment associated with the proposed expansion of the Bomas of Kenya complex into an international convention centre and related visitor infrastructure.

They want the Environment and Land Court to su...