Uhuru Park
The Green Belt Movement (GBM) has raised concern over reports that sections of Uhuru Park and Central Park could be excised to pave the way for the expansion of Uhuru Highway.
In a statement on Tuesday, June 2, GBM said it has received credible reports indicating that survey beacons have already been placed within portions of the two parks, suggesting that preliminary steps toward the proposed project may be underway.
“The Green Belt Movement (GBM) has received alarming reports that portions of Uhuru Park and Central Park may be excised to facilitate the expansion of Uhuru Highway in Nairobi.
“We have further established that survey beacons have already been placed within sections of these public parks, raising legitimate concerns that preliminary steps towards the project may already be underway,” read part of the statement.
The lobby group warned that the possible loss of parts of the parks would have far-reaching consequences for biodiversity, climate resilience, public health, and Kenyans’ constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment.
The movement emphasized that both parks are protected public land under Article 62 of the Constitution and are gazetted recreational facilities held in trust for present and future generations.
GBM argued that any attempt to alter their size, ownership, or use must strictly follow legal procedures, including public participation, environmental assessments, and approvals from relevant authorities.
“Any proposal to excise, alienate, reduce or change the use of these parks must strictly comply with the law, including approval by the Nairobi City County Assembly, public participation, gazettement, approval by the National Land Commission, an Environmental Impact Assessment, and licensing by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), as well as the necessary survey and land registration processes,” GBM stated.
The movement called on the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to clarify whether there are plans to acquire or utilize any portion of the parks, disclose the acreage involved, provide the legal justification for the move, and make public any environmental, social, or feasibility studies conducted.
GBM also asked Nairobi City County to reveal whether public participation forums have been held on the matter and whether the County Assembly has approved any proposal affecting the status of the parks.
Further, the lobby group urged the National Land Commission to confirm whether it has received or approved any request relating to the acquisition or change of use of land within the two parks, while calling on NEMA to disclose whether any Environmental Impact Assessment studies have been submitted or licences issued.
“The Green Belt Movement wishes to make it unequivocally clear that any proposal affecting Uhuru Park or Central Park must be subjected to full public scrutiny, strict legal compliance, comprehensive environmental assessment, and meaningful public participation. These parks are public assets held in trust for all Kenyans and future generations,” the statement added.
