Uhuru Park is beautiful going by the pictures in today's edition of the Star (see page 20).
The refurbishment has given the dilapidated park a sparkling look, which raises the status of Nairobi.
Uhuru Gardens, along Langata Road, which has a central place in Kenya's independence history but had for long been neglected has also received a major facelift.
Parks are important for any urban area, especially now that most of our towns are turning into concrete jungles with very little space for recreation and outdoor activities.
Parks provide clean air, a place for physical activity and direct contact with nature, which has immense mental benefits, and add to the aesthetics of a town.
Unfortunately in Kenya, we do not value public furniture, monuments or spaces.
Matatus drive on pavements, drunken drivers ram into street lights, monuments of freedom heroes are vandalised, fans break furniture in stadiums because they know there is no penalty for their wayward behaviour.
Rwanda has strict laws on destruction of fixtures and this has made Kigali one of the cleanest and most beautiful cities in Africa.
We must strictly enforce laws put in place to ensure that those with errant behaviours are dealt with.
The rehabilitation of Uhuru Park has cost more than Sh1 billion in taxpayers’ money and miscreants should not be allowed to destroy it once open to the public.
Quote of the Day: “Beauty is not caused. It is.”
Emily Dickinson
The American poet was born on December 10, 1830
