This is why Nairobians should swallow their pride and visit Uhuru Park

Families enjoy boat ridding in the artificial lake in uhuru park

If you are a Nairobi resident you should count yourself lucky because you are in a city that is among very few in the world having two parks in the city. We have Nairobi National park and the closest central ‘’Uhuru ‘’Park.

Uhuru Park, 12.9 hectares in size located in the central business district, is one of the capital city’s many green zones. Nairobi City’s very own “central park” it features many stone-curved benches, an artificial lake (with mostly tilapia fish), historical monuments and a generally clean environment. The park is popular on weekends with families and couples and as many of you say its where with activities such as face-painting, preaching and boat rides available.
Some of you have this notion that it’s where Nairobi house helps (mamboch) spend their limited time during the weekends which is untrue according to me .Instead of sitting in your house and despising our only central park in the CBD just get yourself out of the house during the weekends and visit because you will have a good time with friends and family and at least be away from your too much TV habits.

Families enjoying their weekends at Uhuru Park

The recreational ground at uhuru park

Not known to many, however, is the historical significance that the park holds and the fact that it is the largest memorial park in the country.
In December 12, 1963 when the British ceded power to Kenyans, a major rally was held at Uhuru Park which saw The Union Jack (Britain’s flag) brought down and, for the first time, Kenya’s flag hoisted. On this very spot where the British flag once stood, a mugumo tree was planted to signify the transfer of power and leadership from the colonialists to Kenyans.
The first president of Kenya Jomo Kenyatta was inaugurated at the park making it an important heritage site and resulting in it being declared a national monument in 1966.
To mark and maintain its significance, a 24-metre high monument was erected at the park to commemorate Kenya’s struggle for independence. There is also a statue of freedom fighters raising the Kenyan flag and another monument with a fountain standing 100 metres away.
Due to its historical attachment, many public holidays and national events have been held at the park including the handover of power by Kenya’s second President Daniel Moi to former President Mwai Kibaki, the promulgation of the new Constitution in 2010, Labour Day celebrations, and several political rallies including the recent saba saba rally by  CORD’S co-principals Hon.Raila Odinga ,Kalonzo  Musyoka and Moses Wetangula.
Next time you sit under the canopy of trees in Uhuru Park on a hot sunny day enjoying the cool breeze hitting you from the lake, take a look at the beautiful greenery that unfolds before you and you will realize what you’ve missed all this time long.
 I also thank God for creating wangari maathai who always fought hard to  make sure that the moi government did not grab uhuru park for construction of a 60-story Kenya Times Media Trust Complex which was intended to house the headquarters of KANU by then. R.I.P wangari maathai mother of kenyan forests.

The fresh water fish pond  where the artificial lake starts (see the city tall buildings in the back ground )