Uhuru Park Set to Host Jamhuri Celebrations After 13 Months Closure

The historic Nairobi recreational facility Uhuru Park is set to host 2022’s Jamhuri Day celebrations after a 13-month closure from the public.

Nairobi County governor, Johnson Sakaja, confirmed the developments on Thursday, December 1, 2022, when he launched the Green Park terminus adjacent to the park. 

He also indicated that the venue would host the inaugural Nairobi Fest, to allow city residents to showcase their talents, skills and culture.

“The Nairobi Festival is celebrating the culture, and the vibe of Nairobi, our art, our food, our musicians, our acrobats even our athletes, and our sports people. It is going to be held here in Uhuru Park which will be opening also for that festival,” Sakaja declared.

An aerial view of the revamped Uhuru Park in Nairobi.

The Standard

Sakaja also assured city dwellers that security would be beefed up during the December festivities. 

“It will be 4-5 days of extreme fun at the park. Everyone will enjoy the celebrations even those who blame me for the closure of clubs, they should understand that we are against noise in our estates,” he revealed.

Renovations at the iconic Uhuru Park began with the obsolete Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) led by the Director General, Lieutenant General Mohammed Badi.

The previous Nairobi County Assembly gave allowed the refurbishment of the two parks amid growing concerns that they were fast losing their allure.

Uhuru Park’s status had waned to the extent that it became a den of criminals posing as visitors, gum-sniffing street boys and piles of litter on the grass lawns, pathways and benches.

In fact, the once-glorious dam at the centre of the park had turned into a dull, smelly swamp with patches of hyacinth and aquatic weeds choking the fish underneath.

Before its closure in September 2021, Kenyans and even foreign tourists in need of rest could walk to the park to relax.

Families held outdoor activities and enjoyed the quiet environment at the recreational facilities. 

The 12.9-hectare recreational park adjacent to the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) was opened to the general public by Jomo Kenyatta on May 23, 1969.

An image of Uhuru Park before renovations began.

The Standard