Construction of the iconic Uhuru and Central parks to give them a world-class modern look is taking shape.

Yesterday, Kenyans got a chance to see the renovations currently taking place at the 12.9 hectare park. 

Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) shared photos of manicured lawns, maintained trees, enhanced walkways and green spaces on its social media platforms.

 Ponds at the park have been turned into an aquarium named Uhuru Aquascape.

“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,” a statement from NMS.

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

NMS Director-General Lt Gen Mohammed Badi disclosed that the park has been revamped using antique materials such as old buses and aircraft to give it a unique look and feel. Badi revealed that NMS acquired old double-decker buses, which have since been converted into restaurants that have also been segmented to cater for all visitors.

For children who visit Uhuru Park, Badi detailed that NMS has created ice cream parlours at different points, all built using old buses and other antique materials to improve the its aesthetics.  According to Badi, the new look Uhuru Park has an old aircraft converted into a modern high-end hotel.

“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,” he said.

Different points

 “Within Uhuru Park, we will have high-end, middle and low-income restaurants.”

 According to the NMS master plan, the new look Uhuru Park will also have a modern garden with waterfronts.

Green spaces will feature, among other amenities, a plant nursery, skating park, nature trail, outdoor library, jogging and cycling tracks, maintenance yard, offices and shearer garden.

Park will also be under 24 hours surveillance once opened to the public.

Works began last November but were suspended due to a court case.

The renovations have cost taxpayers Sh1 billion.

 However, NMS is yet to give the actual date when the park will be opened to the public.