Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja announced that Uhuru Park and Central Park will be accessible to the public starting December 12, 2022.
Speaking on Tuesday, September 27, the Nairobi city boss maintained that the official launch of the two parks will allow residents to gain entry into the state-of-the-art facilities installed in the historical recreation parks.
He further dispelled reports that residents will be charged to access both parks. Sakaja maintained that entry will be free of charge.
Its opening will coincide with the launch of the Annual Nairobi Street Festival aimed at supporting traders and artists in the city.
"This is just the beginning, the county is in the process of rehabilitating all the parks across the county where our people can rest and enjoy the environment,” Sakaja stated.
While flagging off the World Tourism Day at City Hall, Sakaja expressed his commitment to reclaiming grabbed public property and social halls. He added that reclaiming social facilities is key to nurturing talents and giving youths a platform to showcase their creativity.
"Some scrupulous people have grabbed some of these social amenities areas, we are reclaiming them, improving them and will create new ones to ensure every sub-county has at least a recreational facility," the governor insisted.
According to Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) Director General Mohamed Badi, Uhuru Park was revamped using antique materials such as old buses and stalled aircraft.
The buses were converted into restaurants and segmented to serve different people. The plane, on the other hand, was converted into a high-end hotel.
In the new look of Uhuru Park and Central Park, kids will have access to ice cream parlours and different entertainment facilities to improve the park's aesthetic value.
In December 2022, residents will relax and exercise at the skating park, nature trail, outdoor library, jogging tracks, and shearer garden.
To assure residents of their safety, the park will be under 24 hours surveillance.
"It has taken us time because we went for benchmarking in places such as Addis Ababa because they have good recreational parks. We are now modifying what we saw to suit Kenya's taste," Badi stated during a past interview.
"Within Uhuru Park, we will have high-end, middle income and low-income restaurants," he added.
