Ruto set to open new-look Uhuru Park after 13 months of renovations

President William Ruto is expected to open the new-look Uhuru Park after Jamhuri Day celebrations on Monday, December 12.

The new-look Uhuru and Central parks will be opened for the members of the public after 13 months of renovations largely done by the defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS).

The new park has a modern garden with waterfronts. 

The 12.9-hectare park also boasts of manicured lawns, maintained trees, enhanced walkways, and green spaces.

Lilies pond at the park has been turned into an aquarium named Uhuru Aquascape.

Larger artificial lake that has been in existence since 1969 has been transformed into a major waterfront with a Swahili restaurant.

There is also an outdoor amphitheater fitted with an audiovisual screen, a Nyatiti-shaped events garden, as well as a children’s play area with bouncing castles and merry-go-rounds.

It houses a monument to honour health workers, who lost their lives battling the Coronavirus pandemic.

The iconic Nyayo statue and Mau Mau freedom fighters monuments will be maintained at the park.

The park also contains a botanical space with all species of flowers and plants to capture Kenya’s floral biodiversity with flowers and plants labeled to enhance learning.

Management offices, event spaces, ablution facilities, physical exercise spaces, and touristic features and attractions will also be available.

Uhuru Park and Central Park

The two parks have been fenced and will be manned, allowing the two parks to operate on a 24-hour basis. 

At the same time, Uhuru Park has modern terraced sitting areas with a biosphere look, a dancing fountain put up along Processional Way, and several eateries and two high-end restaurants.

While Central Park has an outdoor library for use by children to read and it will also be used for book launches.

The two parks were to be ready and open to the public in February 2022.

However, in December 2021, Justice Edward Wabwoto prohibited NMS and its contractors or agents from felling trees or carrying out any works at the park.  

Work was suspended until the case was heard and determined this year.

Then President Uhuru Kenyatta told off critics regarding the renovations at the parks.

“Wale ambao walikuwa wanasema tume-grab Uhuru Park and Central Park wacha waone ile kazi inaendelea hapa (those who were saying we grabbed Uhuru Park and Central Park come and see the work we are doing),” Uhuru said.