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Uhuru Park to be reopened on Jamhuri Day for inaugural Nairobi Festival


After a 13-month closure, Nairobi’s iconic recreation facility Uhuru Park will be reopened to the public on December 12.

This was confirmed by the Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja on Thursday when he launched the Green Park Bus Terminus, which is adjacent to Uhuru Park.

Governor Sakaja also said the refurbished Uhuru Park will host the inaugural edition of the Nairobi Festival, where the residents will showcase their talents, skills and culture.

A view of the refurbished Uhuru Park in Nairobi. PHOTO | COURTESY

“The Nairobi Festival will celebrate the culture and the vibe of Nairobi, our art, our food, our musicians, our acrobats even our athletes and our sports people. It is going to be held here in Uhuru Park,” Governor Sakaja said.

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The governor said security will be beefed in Nairobi during the festival.

“It will be four to five days of extreme carnival atmosphere. It will be one big party even for those who are criticizing me for revoking the licenses of nightclubs in residential areas. During the festival you will be free to scream as much as you want,” Sakaja said.

Sculptured animals at the refurbished Uhuru Park in Nairobi. PHOTO | COURTESY

The exercise of revamping Uhuru Park and Central Park was initiated by the defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) to ensure that it meets international standards.

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At the time, NMS said 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.

During the early days of face-lifting the park, the public protested the move following allegations the trees within the park were being cut down.

A seating area inside the refurbished Uhuru Park in Nairobi. PHOTO | COURTESY

However, former President Uhuru Kenyatta clarified that not even a single tree had been cut down in Uhuru Park.

Uhuru Park and Central Park are popular recreational facilities for both Nairobi dwellers and visitors to the city. Uhuru Park is also frequently used as a venue for different public events.

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