The public enjoying an event in July 2013.

The Friends of City Park wish to express outrage and concern about the ongoing encroachment at the City Park of Nairobi, a public green space gazetted as a National Monument in 2009, under the National Museums and Heritage Act (Cap. 216 Laws of Kenya). The encroachment entails the clearing of bush in a substantial area, on the North side of the Park, behind the War Veterans Cemetery and adjacent to the Joseph Murumbi Memorial.

The matter was first reported by the Friends of City Park to the Nairobi City County Government in the last week of March 2014. With great concern, we note that a month later the encroachment activities continue.  This is a gross violation of a Park which is a jewel in Nairobi’s crown of public spaces. It is unique in encapsulating the type of natural forest that, until a hundred years ago, covered most of Nairobi. As such it can be considered a ‘living museum’. Wanton destruction of this habitat is destroying important biodiversity which in some cases is unique to the City Park and making the site unusable by the public.

As concerned residents, we are calling for a stop of this impunity being visited on public land and urging the Nairobi City County Government and other responsible Government agencies to stop this illegal activity at City Park, by what we believe is a private party.

We would also like the media to make the general public, aware of these developments.