In November 2020, I visited the newly re-opened Michuki Memorial Park and was very impressed by what has been done by the space. Formally known as the Mazingira Park, the park had become a hideout for the homeless and criminals.
Created in 2008, Kenya Forest Service (KFS) took over the park in 2020 and have done a great job rehabilitating the space with support from National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage and the National Museums of Kenya. They undertook a huge cleanup program in which illegal structures were cleared, the riparian zone was levelled and a pathway was constructed along the river to mark a clear boundary of the riparian land.
For me, one of the biggest marks of success is tree planting. Nairobi has a real problem of tree removal and deforestation and much of its green spaces are being list. KFS planted a total of 6,357 indigenous trees as part of this park's rehabilitation.
The space is 10.4ha and named after former environment minister, the late John Michuki who was instrumental in cleaning up the Nairobi River and had the ambition of making the river clean enough to be used by those that live along it. Although this target was not met, river clean-ups continue including river clean-up for this rehabilitation and a total of 20,000 tons of solid waste was removed.
This park is in the centre of the city, an ideal spot for city workers to relax after a hard day or enjoy some fresh air on their lunch break. The city centre has a number of green spaces including Central park and Uhuru Park but this park is the most like a forest to really enjoying being inside the trees, do some bird watching and get a feeling like you have left the city. It also contains a tree nursery, a medicine plant garden, benches along the river and scenic walks.
The President has instructed the Nairobi Metropolitan Services and KFS to reclaim and conserve the public land in City Park. The National Museums of Kenya will be responsible for the protection of the national heritage and historical sites in the park. City Park is another neglected but promising and beautiful park in Nairobi. I participated in a march a few weeks ago which culminated in City Park and a performance in the band stand; the first live performance in the park in ten years. I look forward to seeing what the Kenya Forest Service will do with this space and hope the rehabilitation will be a community effort.
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