President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday, March 24, 2022, made a spontaneous visit to Uhuru Park.
The Head of State was personally inspecting the ongoing renovations at the park which started in September 2021.
Security within and outside the park was heightened as the President toured various parts to check on the developer's work. The area has remained sealed off since late last year.
The closure of the park had raised concerns among Kenyans who had claimed that it was being grabbed by unknown people but the government assured the citizens that the space would be better after renovations.
President Kenyatta has been keen on ensuring that the set timelines are met to avoid a clash with Nairobi residents who were skeptical of the renovations.
Uhuru has given special focus on the ongoing projects in various parts of Nairobi, stating that his vision is to make Nairobi a 21st Century city.
The Head of State was on the receiving end after Kenyans learnt that the iconic Uhuru Park Pavilion was demolished by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) as part of rehabilitation works.
But Uhuru defended the demolitions and explained that it was part of the government’s plan to improve the living standards of Nairobi residents.
"Those saying we grabbed Uhuru and Central parks – take photos so that Kenyans can see the work going on here. We are doing this to better citizens’ lives and to make them feel proud of Nairobi and our country,” Uhuru stated during his recent tour of the Nairobi Expressway.
However, the renovations at the park have not been seamless. When the NMS started the works, a case was filed by a political party and the construction was halted temporarily.
Justice Edward Wabwoto declined to lift the initial order suspending the renovations, noting that if the contrary occurred, it would defeat a case filed by the Communist Party of Kenya (CPK).
NMS boss, Gen. Mohammed Badi, claimed that he was not served, hence the order was given without hearing his side.
But the claim did not persuade Justice Wabwoto who stated that Badi could not choose to argue at the time that he was never personally served.
