City Affairs

Sakaja permits Gen-Z to hold memorial concert at Uhuru Park

A view of Uhuru Park on April 10, 2024 . (Photo: Justine Ondieki/EV)

By Maureen Kinyanjui | Thursday, July 4, 2024

Sakaja did not clarify whether City Hall would allow the concert to be held for free or at a cost.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has given the green light for Gen Z to hold a memorial concert at Uhuru Park this Saturday.

Sakaja remarked on Thursday that he had no concerns because the event was for a good cause.

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"It is true. I have received requests for a concert to be held at Uhuru Park and I see no problem with it because it is generally for good," he said.

First of all, Uhuru Park belongs to Kenyans it doesn't belong to me," Sakaja added.

The governor however disclosed that Uhuru Park was sealed off as it is currently an active crime scene.

Sakaja emphasised that City Hall waived the fees for the event to be held at the park.

According to the Finance Bill, 2023 music concerts with live performances were charged Sh100,000 per day to use Uhuru Park.

Initially, City Hall used to charge Sh5,000.

Music concerts without live performances will have to part with Sh50,000 daily while live performances for international acts will be charged Sh150,000 per day.

Activist Boniface Mwangi had earlier announced plans to have a concert on Saturday to honour those who died during last month's anti-government protests.

"We wanted to have a concert on Saturday. Watupatie Uhuru Park tufanye (They should allow us to use Uhuru Park for the) concert on Saturday to honour those the government murdered. Sakaja can we get access to Uhuru Park on Saturday as is? Who do we speak to?" He posed on his X official handle.

Mwangi later said that he had reached out to Shaffie Weru, Nairobi County Head of Events and was told to make an official request in writing.

The protests which were witnessed across the country have resulted in the loss of 41 lives and hundreds injured with some being admitted in various hospitals.

In addition, Sakaja said that youths just like other Kenyans should be allowed to express themselves.

He however condemned the goons who infiltrated the peaceful protests.

"Unfortunately, the protests were infiltrated by goons. You could see a clear distinction between the Gen Z who are expressing their opinions on matters of governance," Sakaja added.