Residents want New-look Uhuru Park declared a ‘city within Nairobi’

Lights – and a lot of quietness. This is what greets you should once you venture around the new-look Uhuru Park after darkness settles on the capital.

This catalogue of glowing light bulbs competing for space can be seen hanging on the ‘ceiling’ of the park – making it look like a giant Christmas tree. It’s like it's about to rain bulbs.

The bulbs hang on trees sitting quietly in the park – with hundreds of others (still bulbs) jutting out from the ground in a well-measured order.

This new look has caught the attention of some Nairobi residents – and guests using the adjacent Nairobi Expressway or Uhuru Highway – making them to draw immediate parallels between Nairobi and Uhuru Park.

It is sad that one can only behold the beautiful ‘architecture’ from across the fence – again because the park is yet to be opened to the public.

The historical 12.9-hectare recreational park adjacent to the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) has been under ‘lock and key’ for months as it undergoes a facelift that many say has lasted forever – having started in September 2021 under the stewardship of the defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS).

Historically, the park was opened to the general Kenyan public on May 23, 1969 – and has since been part of the Nairobi furniture. It has been known for its boat rides.

Some of the residents of Nairobi told Wananchi Reporting that they cannot wait for the park to be opened to public.

“It’s been long since the renovations began. I cannot wait to see the park opened so we can bring our families here to enjoy,” said George Kariuki, a resident of Nairobi.

 “I like how it looks even though we only see it from far. I like how it is lit especially at night. It’s like a small city within Nairobi city,” says Kariuki.

“I wish the whole of Nairobi town would undergo renovations to make it look like the park,” said Kariuki.

According to a master plan by NMS the new look of Uhuru Park will comprise a modern garden with waterfronts, maintenance yard, offices, a plant nursery, skating park, nature trail, outdoor library, jogging and cycling tracks.

“I only get to see it from outside. It looks like a small city, and far much better than the rest of Nairobi,” said Alphonse Kirewe who works in Upper Hill Area of Nairobi.

“This is the capital city for those working in Upper Hill. The rest can have the other part of Nairobi,” he says jokingly.

“Nairobi CBD is very chaotic especially the downtown areas around River road, Muthurwa and Globe area. There are potholes everywhere and muggings and noise. Kenyans need a place like this (the park) where they can escape to and just breath,” added Kirewe.

Residents are asking Nairobi City County to consider renovating Nairobi’s general infrastructure especially in the downtown area to resemble Uhuru Park.

“I don’t like how Jeevanjee Gardens looks even after the recent renovations. It’s dirty with garbage dumped inside trenches. The grass has refused to grow and it’s just chaotic,” said Kirewe – adding that Uhuru Park once opened, should not be allowed to deteriorate.

“Treat Uhuru Park as a different world or city. Kenyans must not 'infect' it with bad things from Nairobi like muggings,” added Kirewe.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that Uhuru Park and Central Park are set to be handed over to the Nairobi County Government anytime this year -- in time for the Nairobi Festival week.

The official handover ceremony could be held before the end of 2023 in time for the venues to host the Nairobi Festival week. The Kenyan military has been renovating the two iconic venues for the past two years.