President Uhuru Kenyatta has refuted claims part of Uhuru Park has been grabbed.

He allayed fears the historic grounds had been grabbed by private developers after it was cordoned off and members of the public asked to stay away.

Speaking while inspecting the ongoing works at Nairobi Expressway, Uhuru, who was accompanied by senior government officials, assured the public the construction works at the park was aimed at giving it a facelift.

Undergo renovation

“Take pictures and show those who claimed we have grabbed land from Uhuru and Central parks the ongoing work here.

This is to improve our standards of living which is our main objective,” the President told journalists.

He said that the beautification exercise would transform Uhuru Park, into a first class recreational centre where Nairobians can relax and enjoy fresh air.

“All this is because we want to better the lives of Kenyans, so that they can be proud of their city, Nairobi and also their country. That is our wish and nothing else,” he said.

According to Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), the rehabilitation of the park is set to be completed in March next year.

In September, the Nairobi County Assembly approved a motion proposing to give the grounds a facelift.

The motion prohibited city residents from accessing the two parks for at least three months, to allow the public spaces to undergo renovation.

Two months later, the NMS moved in and brought down all structures before commencing works.

A week later, the Environment and Lands Court in Nairobi suspended the ongoing renovation until a case filed by a political party is heard and determined.

Justice Edward Waboto noted that NMS commenced the project without factoring in the harm to the environment.

Uhuru Park is the largest green open space and recreational park in Nairobi County, and was opened to the general public in 1969 by the country’s founding father, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.