Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has announced the re-opening of the newly revamped Uhuru Park to the public.
Speaking during the mass registration exercise for private security guards Park, Sakaja said after March 30, Sakaja said Uhuru Park will remain open and will continue to host other events.
He noted the park had remained closed because there was some renovation work ongoing, and therefore took longer to re-open.
"Baada ya hii sasa tumefungua uwanja huu nyinyi ndio mmezindua baadae tutafanya tu functions, jeshi walimaliza kazi yao uwanja huu umerudi kwa wananchi wa Nairobi. Tarehe hii hatutasahau kwa sababu ni nyinyi mmeweza kufungua," he said.
This loosely translates to, "From here this park is open. You (Private Security Guards) have launched, and we will host functions later on. The Army completed their work in this park and it is now back to the residents of Nairobi. We shall never forget this day because you are the first Kenyans (Private Security Guards) to access this park."
A statement shared by the Governor later said that access to the park will be free of charge.
"Kenyans will not be required to pay any entry fee to access the park," it reads in part.
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 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 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.
