Uhuru and Central parks will be ready and open to the public in February next year, the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) has said.
The two parks, located adjacent to Nairobi city centre, have been closed for a more than a month now to allow for renovations.
According to NMS Head of Strategic Communications Tony Mbarine, the upgrade of the two parks will continue until February when people will again be allowed to access their recreational areas.
Allaying fears that Uhuru Park has been grabbed by a private developer, Mr Mbarine clarified that NMS is upgrading the parks using their own contractors and not a private contractor, adding that “there is no way we can do the upgrade while the park is open”.
“The parks have been outdated for long. A lot of things were not working and we are just doing what should have been done 20 years ago. By February, they will be open as very beautiful parks,” he said.
He said the renovation involves fitting modern facilities and amenities which have been lacking due to years of neglect, hence the need for an upgrade.
Mr Mbarine pointed out that, for instance, basic facilities at the parks were built for city residents in the 1960’s and 80’s who were fewer than one million at the time.
“The grass has not been managed well…It was more weeds than grass, no services, no amenities like proper toilets, no activities for kids except bouncing castles and others brought from outside. We are now improving the features by putting up facilities that will make the parks look modern,” he said.
Children playing at Uhuru Park in Nairobi to celebrate Christmas.
“NMS was created to undo things that have been done wrong as well and do things for public good. This is our chance to fix the park,” added Mr Mbarine.
The two parks were closed for renovations last month after Nairobi MCAs approved a motion to rehabilitate them, saying they were in a deplorable state.
The motion by Majority Leader Abdi Guyo sought to have the parks urgently closed to allow restoration to their former glory.
He said the iconic parks have suffered years of neglect and are in a state of disrepair, hence risk losing their appeal, historical significance and recognition should the situation not be remedied.
He explained that rehabilitation and retrofitting of urban parks and green spaces in Nairobi County is part of the presidential legacy project and therefore needs the full support of the county.
Nairobi County retains, operates and maintains various parks and green spaces such as Uhuru Park, Central Park, Michuki Memorial Park, Jamhuri Park, Jeevanjee Gardens and Uhuru Gardens. BY DAILY NATION