Uhuru Park and Central Park in Nairobi County will not be used for political rallies.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale told the Senate Plenary on Wednesday, April 17 that the two recreational parks are now out of bounds to politicians.
“Uhuru Park and Central Park will never again be used by politicians to address rallies. It is out of bounds. One of the reason why we removed the podium is because the political class will look for other venues,” CS Duale said when he answered a query by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna on why the podium at Uhuru Park was demolished.
The CS reiterated that the two facilities belonged not only to the people of Nairobi, but also other Kenyans who should use them without any interference from politicians.
“Uhuru Park and Central Park belong to the people of Nairobi and other Kenyans. During the weekend when they want to enjoy, they will have a choice between going to a mall or going to a park,” he added.
Being among the founding members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Duale acknowledged the symbolic significance of holding rallies at Uhuru Park, but maintained that it should not be hard for popular parties in the country to find other venues for their activities.
“I’m sure it was the best place for popular parties like ODM and the others in Kenya Kwanza. That is where you show your might that you can raise numbers but I think there are many other open places you will go there.”
Duale’s Ministry was tasked with rehabilitating the two parks, a project that began in March 2022 during Jubilee Administration.
Prior to this arrangement, the quality of the parks had become debilitated to a point where they were no longer functioning. All the facilities in the parks were not functioning, becoming a security issue.
The monuments and water features had been vandalised and stolen because of inadequate security, prompting the intervention of the national government.
The objective of the project was to restore the glory of Uhuru Park and Central Park by first rehabilitating the green spaces, restoring the monuments, improving infrastructure and enhancing security through the fencing and installation of visitors’ management system.
