Sakaja Maintains Free Entry To Uhuru Park But Adds Requirement

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on Thursday, April 4 reiterated that no charges will be imposed on Nairobi residents who are set to access the newly-renovated Uhuru Park.

Speaking while delivering the State of the County address at the Nairobi City County Assembly, Sakaja expressed that the County Government would soon reopen the city's most famous park after a two-year closure for purposes of renovations by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

However, he announced that residents seeking to enter the park would be required to surrender their identity cards (ID) to the security officers manning the entrance.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Uhuru Park’s renovation is complete, and Uhuru Park will be available to the public free of charge.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja addressing the AIPCA fraternity during the Holy Oil Celebrations at the Bahati headquarters, March 28, 2024. /JOHNSON SAKAJA

"We have put in place a management system from the gate, that when you come in you will be able to leave your ID, for us to make sure there is security to know who has come in there so that we don’t have the wrong people lazing around in that place, creating insecurity," Sakaja stated.

He also assured Nairobi residents that the park would be under tight security protection, stating that the County Government will deploy a team of officers who will work jointly with police officers to man the premises.

According to the governor, the park will be guarded 24/7 including night hours to curb criminal activities that may arise inside the park.

Sakaja revealed that there were proposals to have charges imposed for those seeking to enter the park, which were however done away with after consultations with the relevant stakeholders.

"Remembering the number of times that jobless people would go there at lunchtime to eat an air burger as you listen to a pastor, lie on the grass as you think about your problems, would not allow me to charge a shilling on Kenyans who want to use Uhuru Park," the governor argued.

However, a fee will be charged for those seeking to access Central Park adjacent to Uhuru Park given that Central Park will possess spacious secluded areas constructed inside the park.

"There is an amphitheatre, there is a nyatiti water feature where weddings can be performed, there is an outdoor library there is even a place where we can do a sitting of the assembly one of these days," Sakaja announced.

Inside the refurbished Uhuru Park in Nairobi. /NMS