Amid the hustle and bustle that characterises the concrete jungle that is our capital city, places where you can relax and unwind dot the landscape. Unlike other cities worldwide, Nairobi is famous for its nature, wildlife and parks.

One such place is the serene and picturesque Uhuru Park, located on a 12.9-hectare piece of land adjacent to Uhuru Highway. The park has four gates, each providing access to a number of facilities. However, the public can only access gates A and D, as the other gates are on the busy highway, making it risky for pedestrians.      

Uhuru Park, which was opened by Mzee Jomo Kenyatta on May 23, 1969, contains a viewing deck, sitting nooks, a lily pond, a boating pond, a fitness garden, management offices, the Freedom Corner, a jogging or cycling track, an amusement park, a botanical garden, the Pope’s monument, a picnic garden, a green park, and the Peace, Love, and Unity monument.

Historic spot

The park is also home to an assembly ground that young Kenyans have turned into a skateboarding spot where local competitions are held. This assembly ground is the most familiar to Kenyans as it is used for occasional political and religious ceremonies.

Inside the popular recreation park is a paved footpath along which are fountains, hardwood benches, sculptured animals, and even bouncing castles, Ferris wheels, and merry-go-rounds for the children, which act as a quick tranquil escape from the city’s noise and activity- within the city.

On a lucky day, you will see fish and up to six species of birds along the trail.

Don’t let its idyllic setting fool you into thinking that the park has always been about fun, games and opportunities like boat rides, picnicking, and strolling.

Although free to access with your national ID, the park was once infamous as a spot where environmental and political activists paid the price for many of the freedoms we enjoy in the country.

In 1989, Prof Wangari Maathai and her followers protested in the park against the then government’s proposed construction of a 62-storey building, a shopping mall, and parking for 2,000 vehicles.

Scenic choices

Mothers of political prisoners also took to the park in 1992 for a hunger strike after their petition calling for the release of their sons was ignored by Amos Wako, the then Attorney General of Kenya.

It was also here in 1996 that Kenya’s top Catholic cleric Cardinal Maurice Otunga accompanied by two gynaecologists, burnt several boxes of condoms and copies of pamphlets promoting safe sex.           

In 2010, five people were killed and over 100 others injured as they were attending an anti-government political gathering. The park again hit the headlines in 2021 when the Environment and Lands court had to halt proposed renovations which included removing old trees.

Apart from that, most Kenyans knew to steer clear of the park before renovations by the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) due to cases of insecurity.

While taking photos in the park, this writer was made aware of the fact that before the fence was erected, I could have easily lost my phone and other valuables as the place was known to be teeming with conmen, pickpockets, street boys and hawkers. 

“In the past this place was dangerous, thieves would snatch your phone and leisurely walk away,” said an undisclosed park attendant.

That however seems improbable now. Not only did I meet joggers and picnickers at the park, but also families, most of whom seemed to have thrown caution to the winds.

“I prefer the park on weekdays in the morning hours because there are few visitors, which allows my kids to jump and play around without much caution on my part,” a father of two told me.

Moving on, I met a TikToker dancing to music from her phone, a considerable distance away, seemingly unperturbed even as I approached her. 

For her, the breath-taking landscapes, stunning backdrops, and expansive views attracted her to consider shooting her videos from Uhuru Park.

Moreover, as I walked through the Botanical Garden, I saw a young lady with a laptop having a video call seated on one of the benches conveniently placed within the gardens.