City Affairs

Sakaja given ultimatum over proposed nightclub construction at Uhuru Park

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

By Hanifa Adan | Friday, April 19, 2024

In addition to the county's plans for the creation, preservation, and promotion of non-commercialized open green spaces in at least every sub-county in Nairobi, they want the specifics of the plans for the park's conversion into a commercial centre with restaurants and clubhouses within the next 48 hours.

Professor Wangari Maathai's Green Belt movement and the Law Society of Kenya, are demanding Governor Sakaja to immediately withdraw his announcement of opening up night clubs at the park by Friday 19th at 6 pm failure to which they will seek legal measures.

"Acknowledging that the statements on the commercialisation of Uhuru Park fall beyond the scope of its establishments, I have instructions to demand from you, which I hereby do that you immediately withdraw the pronouncement and in a letter signed and sealed with the seal of the county, " reads the letter.

Keep reading

They want the governor to confirm that Uhuru Park, as well as all other green places maintained by the county, will not be commercialised.

"My clients as well as the residents of the great Nairobi county would like to know in detail the information on the plans you passionately expressed in your address," says the letter.

In addition to the county's plans for the creation, preservation, and promotion of non-commercialized open green spaces in at least every sub-county in Nairobi, they want the specifics of the plans for the park's conversion into a commercial centre with restaurants and clubhouses within the next 48 hours.

It also demands the governor give the timeframe for the reopening of the central park within the CBD.

Gichohi Waweru, the advocate issuing the letter to the governor told the Eastleigh voice that they want to know the governor's plans regarding the park.

"We honestly want to know what exactly he's up to. We are not just fighting because we can, if he'd just explain to us and allow public participation we can engage. I don't need to just sue"

Sakaja's announcement to construct nightclubs at Uhuru Park yesterday during the handover of the park to the county sparked outrage from Kenyans.

The announcement ignited a wave of discontent, with many expressing concerns over the potential commercialization and degradation of the cherished public space.