NMS To Commission Uhuru Park Before Ruto's Swearing In

The Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) has announced that it will commission the revamped Uhuru and Central Park on the evening of Monday, September 12, which is on the eve of the swearing-in ceremony of the president-elect, William Ruto.

NMS stated on Sunday, September 11 that the event would be held between 7.00 pm and 8.00 pm.

In addition, to make the commissioning of the parks a special one, Nairobi's skyline will be lit with fireworks and Kenyans are invited to enjoy the display.

"It is notified for General information of the Public that there will be a Fireworks Extravaganza in Uhuru Park between 7-8 pm on Monday, September 12 in celebration of the commissioning of Uhuru and Central Park. Members of the public are advised to anticipate and enjoy the display," NMS, which is headed by Major-General Mohammed Badi, stated in part.

Nairobi's most popular recreational parks, Uhuru & Central Parks have undergone a major facelift to ensure they meet international standards. The green spaces have been exceptionally phenomenal in the evolution of our nation as they have both hosted historic national events. pic.twitter.com/nkRP4UXU3R — Nairobi Metropolitan Services, NMS (@NMS_Kenya) August 30, 2022

The notice was released to alert members of the public to avoid panic caused by the impending function.

NMS in August released photos of the popular park which has been undergoing refurbishment since 2021.

The style was made to match those of some of the world's most popular parks such as Central Park in New York, USA. It features a well-kept lush green garden with well-paved cabro walkways and properly fitted sitting areas.

NMS also increased the number of benches in various sections of the park to give Kenyans more options in resting places when they visit the park.

"The revamped green spaces will play a critical role in environmental pollution management, social-economic development of the nation as well as the physical well-being of citizens.

"The rehabilitation works which come 52 years after the green spaces were first opened to the public involved construction of a playground, an outdoor gym, jogging tracks, botanical trails, an outdoor library and a skating park," NMS stated at the time.

Speaking to Spice FM on Thursday, August 4, Badi disclosed that the new park is developed with old materials such as old buses and aircraft to bring a vintage touch to the park for Kenyans. It also comes with a large aircraft that has been converted into a restaurant.

NMS has also erected ice cream parlours for children visiting the park, which are made from old buses, among other vintage materials to spice up the look and feel.

"It has taken us time because we went for benchmarking in places such as Addis Ababa because they have good recreational parks. We are now modifying what we saw to suit Kenya's taste.

"Within Uhuru Park, we will have high-end, middle income and low-income restaurants," he disclosed.

The NMS boss also revealed that the park will be under 24-hour surveillance once it is open to the public.

Inside the refurbished Uhuru Park in Nairobi. /NMS

In addition, political rallies at the park will be barred when it opens to the public, with the park set aside specifically for entertainment.

An NMS master plan further noted that Uhuru Park will feature a modern garden with waterfronts and the green spaces will be accompanied by a plant nursery, skating park, nature trail, outdoor library, jogging and cycling tracks, maintenance yard, offices and shearer garden.

The NMS director general disclosed that the park's renovation, alongside Central Park, was motivated by the need to address the mental health issues facing Kenyans in the city.

Inside the refurbished Uhuru Park in Nairobi. /NMS