After 11 months of closure and renovations, Uhuru and Central parks will officially be commissioned on Monday, by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services.
NMS announced that the launch will take place between 7pm and 8pm.
“It is notified for General information of the Public that there will be a Fireworks Extravaganza in Uhuru Park between 7-8pm on 12th Monday in celebration of Commissioning of Uhuru and Central Park. Members of the public are advised to anticipate and enjoy the display,” reads the notice.
Last month, Badi told the Star that the two parks could be Nairobi’s last projects to be commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta before the end of his tenure.
However, it has not been confirmed whether Uhuru will be in attendance.
President Uhuru had earlier on told off critics regarding the ongoing renovations at Uhuru and Central Parks, insisting that it was part of plans to change the face of the city.
The closure of the iconic parks for renovation did not sit well with a section of Kenyans who claimed that it was a land grabbing scheme.
“Those who were saying we have grabbed Uhuru Park and Central Park come to see the work we are doing,” Uhuru stated.
Using their own contractors, NMS has been renovating Uhuru and Central parks to give them a world-class modern look.
The parks had been outdated and renovations ought to have been done 20 years ago.
MPs allocated Sh1 billion for the renovation of both parks.
“Most of the children’s playgrounds in the estates have been grabbed and they lack a place where they can play and mingle. Once we complete Uhuru Park, it will be an epic place for families,” Badi noted
Uhuru Park will have manicured lawns, maintained trees, enhanced walkways and green spaces.
The lilies pond at the park will be turned into an aquarium named Uhuru Aquascape.
A larger artificial lake will be transformed into a major waterfront with a Swahili restaurant.
There will be an outdoor amphitheatre fitted with an audio-visual screen, a Nyatiti-shaped events garden, and a children’s play area, with bouncing castles and merry-go-rounds.
The iconic Nyayo statue and Mau Mau freedom fighters monuments will be maintained.
There will be a botanical space with all species of flowers and plants to capture Kenya’s floral biodiversity, with flowers and plants labelled to enhance learning.
Management offices, event spaces, ablution facilities, physical exercise spaces and touristic features and attractions will be available.
They will be fenced and manned, allowing the two parks to operate on a 24-hour basis.
There will be terraced sitting areas with a biosphere look, a dancing fountain put up along Processional Way, several eateries and two high-end restaurants
Central Park will have an outdoor library for use by children to read and it will also be used for book launches.
The two parks were closed for renovations in October after Nairobi MCAs approved a motion to rehabilitate them.
A motion by former Nairobi Majority leader Abdi Ibrahim Guyo sought to have the parks urgently closed and restored to their former glory.
Guyo said the iconic parks have suffered years of neglect and are in a state of disrepair.
He said they risk losing their appeal, historical significance and recognition should they not be rehabilitated quickly.
