Reports claiming that the JKIA-Westlands expressway whose construction was commissioned last week by President Kenyatta will cut through through the iconic Uhuru Park and the historic papal dais at the University of Nairobi have angered Kenyans online.
The 27 kilometers highway is expected to run fromMlolongo, Jomo Kenyatta international airport, through Uhuru park and end at James Gichuru road along Waiyaki highway.
The road is expected to be handed over to the Kenyan government in 2049 after China has minted a cool Ksh102 billion through toll charges.
However, it is not the value of its construction and charges that have angered Kenyans the most but the decision by the government to have the project pass through the iconic recreational Uhuru park.
While recalling how the late Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai stood up for Uhuru Park against the tyranny of KANU’s rule in the late 1980s, many vowed to protect the park.
Many remembered the late environmentalist saying that Uhuru Park was the only place in Nairobi one can rest without being chased away.
“Activists, we must prepare the biggest resistance against the slicing of Uhuru Park to build a road. Uhuru Park is one of the few remaining green spaces in this concrete jungle. Slicing it will see the grabbers also have their allocations on the side,” protested one activist Robert Alai
Activists, we must prepare the biggest resistance against the slicing of Uhuru Park to build a road.
Uhuru Park is one of the few remaining green spaces in this concrete jungle. Slicing it will see the grabbers also have their allocations on the side.
— Robert Alai (@RobertAlai) October 21, 2019
According to a section of Kenyans on Twitter, the project is trashing the milestones made in conserving the environment, which entails conservation of Uhuru Park.
Here are some more comments from Twitter;
I usually don't subscribe to @RobertAlai 's school of thought but on demonstrations against grabbing of Uhuru Park I stand with him. We all need to stand against this regardless of our political alignments.
Let the President know the truth. He is wrong!
— Duncan Makori 🇰🇪 (@EngnrDan) October 22, 2019
Prof Wangari Maathai Park in Peru as Dictator Uhuru Kenyatta plans to build a road through Uhuru Park at a cost of 102 Billion Chinese loan (plus kickbacks).
How would Prof. Maathai feel? pic.twitter.com/PAXIYKD4rj
— ALBERT WAIGANJO (@alwaiganjo) October 21, 2019
China should not destroy Uhuru Park. While Beijing is adding more green space to improve living conditions, China wants to destroy Uhuru Park. In China, e.g. Beijing, Shenzhen, Chengdu cities are building parks. Uhuru, Ruto & China must leave Uhuru Park in peace. @StateHouseKenya pic.twitter.com/G406w9IlzT
— Dr. John Njenga Karugia, PhD (@johnnjenga) October 22, 2019
This thing is so upsetting.
People in Nairobi have nowhere to breathe. Has GoK not even seen how Uhuru Park is packed on Sundays because there are no spaces for family recreation? Yet they own 500ha and relax at golf clubs.
Muigai is like King Ahab stealing from Naboth.
— #LandFirst Mwalimu Wandia (@wmnjoya) October 22, 2019
We must protect Uhuru park at all cost!!
— Wallace Njuguna (@wallacenjuguna) October 22, 2019
Uhuru park trending for the third day in a row should send H.E Uhuru that KENYANS are really upset and disatisfied with that project. They should however, consider other alternative. An angry Nation is a dangerous Nation. #uhurupark
— Abdihakim Keinan (@keinanAbdihakim) October 22, 2019
Our parents were shot and beaten there. Mothers fought for their sons there. Wangari Maathai made history there. Our people got us multipartyism there.
Uhuru Park is where the unemployed get reprieve from the harsh Nairobi economy. It is where lovers gaze into each others eyes.
— #LandFirst Mwalimu Wandia (@wmnjoya) October 22, 2019