By Iminza Keboge
Published October 11, 2020
The Government of Kenya is set on rehabilitating eight recreational parks in the capital, Nairobi.
The green spaces earmarked for restoration include Uhuru Park, City Park, Jeevanjee Gardens, Central Park, Ngong Road Forest, Nairobi Arboretum and Karura Forest.
Work on Michuki Memorial Park, in honour of John Njoroge Michuki, a former Minister for Environment and Natural Resources, has already been completed.
RELATED: Won’t You Relax in a Nairobi Recreational Park!
While opening the revamped Michuki Memorial Park on August 14, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta said that the recreation space was the first in a series of environmental restoration projects the Government has embarked on across the East African country of 50 Million people.
Meanwhile, Ruiru Town in Kiambu County on the northern outskirts of Nairobi is seeking to be elevated to a City in accordance with the provisions of the Urban Areas and Cities Act.
RELATED: Annual Photographic Competition Celebrates Africa’s Transport Modes
Ruiru Town, whose population grew from 238 858 people in 2009 to 490 120 people according to the 2019 National Census, is the fifth most populous urban centre in Kenya after Nairobi (4 394 073), Mombasa (1 208 333), Kisumu (721 082) and Nakuru (570 674).
While Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu have already attained City status, Nakuru is yet to be elevated to a city. Eldoret (475 716), that is at position 6, is also a municipality and not a city though it, too, is eyeing city status as are Kikuyu (323 881) and Thika (251 407) at positions 7 and 8, respectively,
RELATED:Â From Street Corner to Corner Office
Ruiru is home to Tatu City, a 5000-acre mixed-use development with Special Economic Zone status, an upcoming Notherlands City, a mega urban development comprising residential, industrial and commercial units and all-time railway services.
The County Government of Kiambu, through Kenya Urban Support Programme and in collaboration with the World Bank, is reported to have stepped up efforts to ensure Ruiru has facilities that match city status. Parking spaces have been renovated, link roads within the town tarmacked, solar and electric lights installed, and a new fire engine to boost firefighting and disaster preparedness acquired.
