Sakaja Speaks On Entry Fees For Revamped Uhuru Park

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has dismissed reports that residents will be charged to access Uhuru Park and Central Park set to be reopened in December 2022.

Speaking on Tuesday, September 27, Sakaja clarified that Kenyans will access the two parks free of charge. They have been closed to the public for renovations since last year, undertaken by the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS).

He added that the official launch of the two parks will allow Kenyans to get a feel of the state-of-the-art facilities installed in the recreational parks which have been present since time immemorial.

Inside the refurbished Uhuru Park in Nairobi. /NMS

He thanked NMS Director General Mohamed Badi for the impressive work done towards revamping the parks, adding that he plans to add more recreational areas across the city.

“Well done Maj. Badi and NMS team on Uhuru Park. Nairobians will really enjoy this. We plan to have parks and such recreational areas throughout the city as all Nairobians deserve this. Asante sana (Thank you very much),” Sakaja said.

While flagging off the World Tourism Day at City Hall, Sakaja expressed his commitment to reclaiming grabbed public property and social halls for purposes of nurturing talents and giving youths a platform to showcase their creativity.

"Some scrupulous people have grabbed some of these social amenities areas, we are reclaiming them, improving them and will create new ones to ensure every sub-county has at least a recreational facility," he added.

Badi had initially hinted at the park being 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 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 during a past interview.

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

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.

Its opening will coincide with the launch of the Annual Nairobi Street Festival, which will bring together the famous arts, culture and sports in the city streets.

An old aircraft at Uhuru Park. /THE STANDARD