Revamped Uhuru Park set to dazzle
The iconic Uhuru Park and Central Park in Nairobi are expected to dazzle once renovation works are complete.
A master plan by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services indicates the new-look Uhuru Park will comprise a modern garden with waterfronts.
The 12.9-hectare park will boast of manicured lawns, maintained trees, enhanced walkways and green spaces.
Lilies pond at the park will be turned into an aquarium named Uhuru Aquascape.
Larger artificial lake will be transformed into a major waterfront with a Swahili restaurant. There will also be an outdoor amphitheatre fitted with an audiovisual screen, a Nyatiti-shaped events garden, as well as a children’s play area with bouncing castles and merry-go-rounds.
It will house a monument to honour health workers, who lost their lives battling the Coronavirus pandemic.
The iconic Nyayo statue and Mau Mau freedom fighters monuments will be maintained.
There will be a botanical space with all species of flowers and plants to capture Kenya’s floral biodiversity with flowers and plants labelled to enhance learning.
Management offices, event spaces, ablution facilities, physical exercise spaces and touristic features and attractions will also be available.
Parks will be fenced and will be manned, allowing the two parks to operate on a 24-hour basis.
There will also be terraced sitting areas with a biosphere look, a dancing fountain put up along Processional Way and several eateries and two high-end restaurants.
Central Park will have an outdoor library for use by children to read and it will also be used for book launches.
Green spaces
The two parks were to be ready and open to the public in February.
However, in December Justice Edward Wabwoto prohibited NMS and its contractors or agents from felling trees or carrying out any works at the park. Work was suspended until the case was heard and determined this year.
President Uhuru Kenyatta told off critics regarding the ongoing renovations at the parks.
“Wale ambao walikuwa wanasema tume-grab Uhuru Park and Central Park wacha waone ile kazi inaendelea hapa (those who were saying we grabbed Uhuru Park and Central Park come and see the work we are doing),” Uhuru said.
NMS Director-General Lt-Gen Mohammed Badi vowed to restore green spaces in Nairobi and take them to international status.
