Social media was on Sunday, November 21, awash with reports of the ongoing activities at Uhuru Park in Nairobi.
A section of Kenyans stated the pavilion at the park was brought down alongside the main podium as part of the demolitions reportedly being carried out by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS).
This had created a wave of rage among netizens who took to social media to protest the activities, fearing a plan to get rid of the park.
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Many wondered why the government would conduct demolitions of the park, just days after the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) where President Uhuru Kenyatta advocated for the protection of the environment.
On the other hand, other Kenyans pointed out that the project was part of a renovation process hence urging those enraged to stay calm as this was a planned project by the county government.
According to a witness on the ground, they confirmed that there was a heavy police presence on every entry point at the park. Further, the whole park had been fenced to allow the ongoing activities whereby bulldozers were on site.
The source also confirmed that the podium had been brought down- a subject of contention among many Kenyans online.
"The podium is down. But works are all over the park. From outside walkways to the inside hence you can't say that the podium was targeted," he stated.
Kenyans.co.ke tried to contact officials of the Nairobi County Government and the Nairobi Metropolitan Service but no information was forthcoming on the nature of construction ongoing at the leisure park.
Various politicians had also taken online, enquiring about the Uhuru park saga with the political activist cum environmentalist the late Wangari Maathai been brought into the conversation for spirited efforts to protect the grounds that partially contributed to her being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.
"Hero Nobel Prize Wangari Maathai's spirits must be very disturbed. Comrade James Orengo was with you Karura Forest when she led us to face off KANU grabbers. We'd regroup rekindle #hummingbird. If we don't speak out, act now, our motherland will become evil's jungle!" former Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando pointed out.
"Is it true that State House and NMS have demolished the Uhuru Park pavilion and leased the area to Saudi Arabian Company to build Hotel and Car Park?" Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen posed.
The government had in September 2021, announced that members of the public would be prohibited from accessing Uhuru Park and Central Park for at least three months.
Further, a motion had been passed at the Nairobi County Assembly, advocating for the closure of the park in order to allow for renovations. The plans were initially halted to allow consultations with NMS and City Hall.
