President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday met with his Highness the Aga Khan at State House where they discussed a project that they would carry out in Nairobi's City Park.
While receiving Khan, who is the current Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, Uhuru stated that the initiative was geared towards enhancing the quality of life of city residents.
According to a statement released by StateHouse spokesperson Manoah Esipisu the project is set to restore Nairobi City Park to its original glory as the "Green Jewel of Nairobi" as quickly as the enabling conditions and instruments to conclude the partnership can be achieved.
[caption caption="Nairobi's City Park"]
[/caption]
City Park was established in 1921 as a zoological garden on a 91-hectare area, and formally declared a public park in 1925.
Much like other green spaces in the city, it has not spared encroachment by land grabbers who, despite all efforts by conservationists to protect it, progressively hived off over a third of its area over the years.
[caption caption="Murumbi peace memorial park "]
[/caption]
It is currently remaining with 61 hectares of land.
The park is the burial ground of some of Kenyan's influential figures including Pio Gama Pinto, Kenya's second vice president Joseph Murumbi and his wife Sheila.
His Highness the Aga Khan who is in Kenya from 12th to 14th April 2018 to commemorate his Diamond Jubilee, has taken interest in restoring the park to its original glory.
The Ismaili community has and continues to be, a part of the Kenyan history with investments and development to Kenya spanning over 100 years. Under the leadership of His Highness the Agha Khan, a number of institutions have been established that have made a significant contribution to Kenyan development, and achievement of Kenya abroad.
"In this regard, today’s discussion touched on various sectors of engagement and investment by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Kenya including Media, Economic, Tourism, Cultural, Health and Education sectors," the statement further read.
[caption caption="His Highness the Aga Khan, President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House"]
[/caption]
The President commended the commitment of His Highness the Aga Khan to strengthening Kenya’s higher education system, including through major investment in the expansion of the Aga Khan University campus in Nairobi.
The discussion also focused on the Government’s Big Four priorities and shared objectives in this regard. They agreed that the AKDN will continue to contribute towards addressing current national development priorities.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the achievements of the visit by His Highness the Aga Khan to Kenya to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee (60) years and agreed to work on the modalities for concluding outstanding issues.
[caption caption="His Highness the Aga Khan, President Uhuru Kenyatta "]
[/caption]
