No nightclub in Uhuru Park, LSK and Greenbelt now warn Sakaja

Uhuru Park beautification in Nairobi on April 18, 2024 [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja's plan to build a nightclub at the refurbished Uhuru Park has landed him in trouble.

The Law Society of Kenya and Greenbelt Movement have demanded the the governor drops the plan and apologise to the city residents.

Sakaja announced the plan during the handover of the park by the Department of Defence on Thursday. "We will be issuing tenders for businesses here, including African restaurants and a nightclub," he said.

"This venue will provide an outlet for enjoyment without disturbing residential areas. The tendering process will be conducted transparently."

But in a letter to the Governor, the two groups sought an explanation on his plans to convert the park into a commercial centre.

"The residents of great Nairobi County would like to understand the time-frame for reopening the non-commercialised, extensive green spaces in all that formerly known as central park within CBd," the letter reads.

The recreational park was sealed off in early 2022 to undergo a facelift by the Kenya Defence Forces.

The groups also asked for public participation reports. "I have instructions to demand from you, which I hereby do, so that you immediately withdraw the pronouncements," an advocate of the organisations wrote.

They want the Governor to affirm that Uhuru Park and all green spaces maintained by the county would not be commercialised, failure to which they will take legal action against him.