Government Closes Uhuru Park

The Nairobi County Government has declared Uhuru Park off-limits just a day after National Super Alliance (NASA) leaders announced plans to hold a rally at the venue on Friday.

A statement from the County indicates that the new restriction is a measure to facilitate military preparations for the upcoming Mashujaa Day celebrations.

County Secretary Leboo Ole Montintat told reporters that members of the public will not be allowed into the park until Friday, October 20.

[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta with Governor Mike Sonko at Uhuru Park"][/caption]

"Celebrations will be held in Uhuru Park, a monumental ground of great historical importance for our country.

"Various preparations for the forthcoming celebrations have been going on over the last few weeks to accord the day highest standards possible," he told the Nation.

Mr Montintat added that the urgent move came after the Ministry of Interior confirmed this year's celebrations will be held at the park.

Siaya Senator James Orengo on Wednesday asked NASA supporters to attend a mega rally at Uhuru Park to welcome their coalition leader Raila Odinga who has travelled to London.

"We want this place (Uhuru Park) to be packed so that people can see nothing else but Raila supporters," Mr Orengo stated.

The NASA Senator went ahead to rename the park 'Raila Odinga Park' to correspond to the Opposition's scheduled anti-IEBC protests.

Read More: Leaders Rename Uhuru Park After Raila

[caption caption="NASA leader Raila Odinga addressing crowds at Uhuru Park"][/caption]

A week ago the military placed the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in a state of lock-down to conduct similar drills.

Kenya's airspace was also inaccessible and flights were delayed as the airport remained closed.

Read More: KDF Forces Closure of JKIA