Senator Sifuna protests 3-year closure of Uhuru Park in letter to CS Duale
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has faulted the government over the continued closure of Uhuru Park to members of the public despite an earlier commitment to reopen it.
In a letter to Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale dated February 17, the outspoken opposition lawmaker revealed that the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel in charge of the refurbishment of Uhuru Park had promised to reopen the park to the public by December 2023.
Sifuna expressed concerns about why the recreation facility remains closed months after the talks with the KDF leadership held on October 13, 2023.
"At a meeting between the Nairobi Governor, myself and the KDF 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 opened to the public in December 2023," Sifuna stated.
"Close to four months later the facility remains inaccessible occasioning great inconvenience to the residents of Nairobi and to the thousands of visitors the city receives on a daily basis," he added.
Citing complaints from the general public, Sifuna sought to know the status of the rehabilitation works at the park.
He also wants the former National Assembly Majority Leader to confirm whether the facility has been officially handed back to the county government of Nairobi.
"If not, what underlying issues continue to delay the return of the park to public use?" he posed.
The senator also sought answers from the Defence boss when the city residents can expect the reopening of the park.
"Your quick response on this matter will be highly appreciated," he stated.
The defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) had initially closed the park for a three-month rehabilitation period in September 2021 following approval by the Nairobi County Assembly. However, the period was later extended to give the national government more time to give the popular city park a facelift.
