Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-02-19 17:15:54
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has written a letter to Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, seeking an explanation for the prolonged closure of Uhuru National Park. In the letter dated February 17, Sifuna referred to a previous meeting he had with the CS and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja in October of the previous year, where they discussed the need to reopen the park following completion of repair works.
During the meeting, it was confirmed that all necessary repair works had been completed and the facility was set to be opened to the public in December 2023. However, as of February 2024, the park remains closed, causing inconvenience to the residents of Nairobi and the city’s visitors. Senator Sifuna has demanded clarity on whether repair works are still ongoing and if the facility has been handed over to the county government. He also seeks to know the anticipated reopening date and the factors causing the delay.
The closure of Uhuru National Park has been a point of concern for several months. In late October of the previous year, CS Duale had informed the press that the contractor undertaking the repair project was finalizing the works, and the national government would soon hand over the facility to the county government. Similar meetings had taken place earlier with no progress.
Prior reports suggested that the modernized park with updated amenities was scheduled to officially reopen on December 12. Anastasia Nyaliti, the Nairobi County Executive for Inclusivity, Public Participation, and Customer Service, had indicated that the park’s official opening was to coincide with the second edition of the Nairobi Festival. The facility had been closed for renovations since 2021.
Senator Sifuna’s letter to CS Duale comes as a direct response to the prolonged closure of the park. With the completion of repair works and the anticipation of its reopening, the explanation for the continued closure is imperative for the residents of Nairobi and the visitors who frequent the city. The delay has raised concerns and inconvenienced many, prompting the Senator to seek clarity from the responsible authorities.
In conclusion, the demand for an explanation over the prolonged closure of Uhuru National Park reflects the frustration and inconvenience experienced by Nairobians and visitors to the city. It emphasizes the importance of timely completion and reopening of public facilities following repair and renovation works, for the benefit of the public. Senator Sifuna’s initiative to seek clarification from the concerned government officials is a demonstration of accountability and transparency in governance.
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