The Environment and Lands Court has suspended the ongoing renovations, cutting of trees and any works at Uhuru Park.
Justice Edward Waboto, of the Environment and Lands Court, ruled that the order will remain in force pending the hearing and determination of a case filed by the Communist Party of Kenya.
"Court finds the project being undertaken by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) was commissioned without an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA). No report was submitted to environment regulator, NEMA. Hearing will be on February 1, 2022," reads part of the ruling.
Other concerns raised in the court documents included whether public participation was conducted concerning the project, how much was budgeted for, who won the tender to undertake the renovations, and whether the due process of procuring their services was followed.
The petitioners also sought to know whether the project was public owned or it was a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and whether the park would be freely accessible to the public after the renovations are completed.
The petitioners further sought clarification on the extent of the renovations urging the Nairobi Metropolitan Services and the Nairobi City County offices to outline the nature and extent of the said works.
"The petitioner was shocked to find out that there was no information available to the public concerning the closure of the park and the intended renovations at the park," read the court documents in part.
The park was closed by Nairobi Metropolitan Services late September for rehabilitation after Nairobi County Assembly passed a motion that will also see adjacent Central Park get a face-lift.
Tony Mbarire, the NMS Director of Communications, had recently affirmed that the park was undergoing a facelift and would be open to the public by February 2022.
"It's a face lift for both parks (Uhuru and Central Park) so that they are more responsive to today's needs. So the facelift was very much needed in order to enhance the recreational facilities," he stated pointing out that the NMS envisioned both parks to emulate Michuki Park's standards.
The renovation raised eyebrows after the parks iconic pavilion was brought down with Kenyans raising their concerns over the number of trees being cut down.
