Kenyans will be required to produce their national identity cards to access the newly renovated Uhuru Park.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja Thursday said that the IDs will aid in maintaining security and also keep a record of who is accessing the park.
“When you come in, you will be able to leave your ID. This is for us to make sure we know who is coming in so that we can block the wrong people lazing around in that place,” he said.
The county boss was speaking during his State of the County address at the Nairobi County Assembly.
Going further, the Governor revealed that there will be a special team which will be deployed at the Park consisting of Inspectorate officers and officers from the National Police Service.
“The special team will guard the park 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year,” Sakaja said.
To give Kenyans easy access, Uhuru Park will be free to everyone.
Governor Sakaja explained that there were earlier proposals to charge Nairobians to use Uhuru Park, but he declined.
“Remembering the number of times that jobless people would go there at lunchtime to eat an air burger as you listen to a pastor, lie on the grass as you think about your problems, would not allow me to charge a shilling on Kenyans who want to use Uhuru Park,” he said.
However, when it comes to Central Park, the public will be required to pay an entry fee due to the structures and facilities put in place.
The Park was closed to the public in 2022 for rehabilitation by the now-defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS).
The renovation was spearheaded by the Ministry of Defence.
While the renovations were ongoing, the county has occasionally used the park to host some events, including the Nairobi Festival in 2022 and 2023.
Uhuru Park before the renovations was also a hot spot for political rallies in Kenya.
The park is synonymous with hosting huge political rallies in the lead-up to general elections.
However, with the new renovations, the green spaces will play an important role in environmental pollution management, the nation’s socioeconomic development, and citizens’ physical well-being.
Uhuru Park boasts of 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 Nyayo 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.
