He says his administration has already hired contractors to revamp terraces and work on the grass.
He confirmed that indeed there were four groups – National Super Alliance (Nasa), a church and Nairobi Business Community – that had booked the venue for various activities on the same day but went ahead to state that due to the planned facelift, none of the parties would be able to gain access to the venue.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has reiterated that no group will be allowed access to Uhuru Park until ongoing renovations at the facility are complete.
The county boss says his administration has already hired contractors to revamp terraces and work on the grass at the park within Nairobi’s Central Business District before it can be opened again to the public.
“No group will be allowed into Uhuru Park as we are currently doing renovations at the facility to improve its terraces and grass and already the contractor is on the ground,” said Mr Sonko on Wednesday during a radio interview with a local FM station.
He confirmed that indeed there were four groups – National Super Alliance (Nasa), a church and Nairobi Business Community – that had booked the venue for various activities on the same day but went ahead to state that due to the planned facelift, none of the parties would be able to gain access to the venue.
“Nasa booked for the venue yesterday (Tuesday) but before that there were three other groups that had booked for the same venue and had already paid and we had issued them with the receipts,” he said.
The Governor’s stand follows a notice in today's dailies informing the public that the facility had been closed with immediate effect.
“Notice is hereby given to the general public that Uhuru Park Grounds is scheduled to undergo phased improvement works in order to enhance usefulness to its visitors.
“Consequently, the facility has been closed down to the public for any gatherings and meetings with effect from January 23, 2018 until further notice,” read in part the announcement by acting County Secretary Leboo Ole Morintat.
The Nairobi Business Community chair Wilfred Kamau earlier told the media they had been given a go-ahead by City Hall to hold their event to carry out cultural rites on January 30, 2018.
It is on the same day when the opposition Nasa coalition had initially planned to swear in their leaders – Raila Odinga and his deputy Kalonzo Musyoka.
