Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has raised concerns over the prolonged closure of Uhuru Park.
The iconic park has been closed since September 2021 as it underwent renovation and was facelifted by the Kenya Defence Forces.
In a letter addressed to the Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, the Senator says that he had received complaints over the closure of the park
Sifuna stated that the facility was to be reopened in December 2023 but remains closed.
"At a meeting between Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, myself and the Kenya Defence Forces personnel in charge of the refurbishment of Uhuru park held on October 13, 2023 at the facility, it was confirmed that indeed all works had been completed and that the facility would be reopened to the public in December 2023," reads the letter dated February 17, 2024.
In July 2023, a similar meeting was held between Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru and Governor Sakaja still on the two parks.
Sifuna now says the facility remains inaccessible occassioning great inconvenience to the residents of Nairobi and visitors the city receives daily.
The Senator wants CS Duale to disclose whether there are still ongoing works at Uhuru Park.
Sifuna also wants to establish whether the facility has been officially handed back to the county government.
"If not handed back, what underlying issues continue to delay the return of the park to public use," reads the letter.
He also wants Duale to make it clear when Nairobians can expect to resume use of the park.
Uhuru and Central parks have been under renovation under the KDF through defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services since September 2021, to bring them up to international park standards.
The renovated green spaces will play an important role in environmental pollution management, the nation’s socioeconomic development, and citizens’ physical well-being.
The military has been constructing the parks whose new look will involve installing modern facilities and amenities which the parks have been lacking.
The parks had been neglected for many years and needed an upgrade.
Uhuru Park will boast manicured lawns, maintained trees, enhanced walkways and green spaces.
There will also be an outdoor Amphitheatre with an audiovisual screen, an events garden in the shape of Nyatiti, and a children’s play area with bouncing castles and merry-go-rounds.
The iconic Nyao statue and Mau Mau freedom fighters' monuments have been updated as well.
The man-made lake has been transformed into a major waterfront, complete with a Swahili restaurant.
The parks have not yet been opened to the public.
It was only opened during the Nairobi festival last year in December.
Uhuru Park before renovations was also a hot spot for political rallies.
The park is synonymous with hosting huge political rallies in the lead-up to general elections.
