Falling trees at Uhuru Gardens prompt KEFRI probe amid public safety concerns

A tree fell earlier today at Uhuru Gardens, Mombasa County, raising fresh public safety concerns at the historic public park situated in the heart of the island.

The incident is the latest in a string of tree falls, which county officials say are linked to disease, pest infestation, and strong winds following recent heavy rains.

In a statement, Mombasa's Executive for Water, Natural Resources and Climate Change Resilience, Emily Achieng, said the county has sought technical support from the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) to deploy a forest pathologist to assess the extent of infestation.

Achieng emphasised that the county has been proactively replacing old and diseased trees, and has organised a public engagement session to address the rising concerns over tree removals at the park.

“As a county, we have been proactive in planting more trees in the garden to replace the old and diseased trees... To ensure that the views of our citizens are taken into account, the county shall hold a public forum to get views on urban and extension forestry on Monday, June 30, 2025, at Tononoka Social Hall,” stated Achieng.

In May 2025, activists and residents expressed outrage, accusing the county government of cutting down trees at the park without public participation.

“Uhuru Gardens has a bad history; it was grabbed in the 1990s. We are concerned that this may be another attempt to grab the land under the guise of clearing trees,” said Francis Auma, a rapid response officer at Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI).

Auma noted that “one of the trees that was cut down was over 100 years old, healthy, and not a danger to the public”.

Environmentalist Dr Mwinga Chokwe also criticised the felling, warning that it threatens the ecological integrity of the park.

“Mombasa has already lost most of its trees. Uhuru Gardens is public property, and the county government has no authority to cut down any tree without involving the public... If we lose all our tree cover, the city will suffer from rising temperatures,” warned Dr Chokwe.

Uhuru Gardens’ towering trees have long provided vital shade and are known to host one of Kenya’s significant bat colonies, which conservationists say are endangered and critical to the ecosystem.

An upcoming public forum is expected to facilitate dialogue between county officials and the public, amid calls for transparency and ecological responsibility.

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