Nakuru County Government Withdraws Lions Garden from CBD Green Spaces List
Lions Garden has traditionally been a hub for significant political and civic events
By Michael Karanja
Ever been along Nakuru’s Kenyatta Avenue and felt like blowing off steam before continuing to your destination, Lions Garden could have been an ideal location.
Unfortunately, the green space is no longer available for relaxation.
City residents have cherished Lions Garden as an outdoor space for leisure, relaxation, and enjoyment.
It has outplayed its role for the common good to everyone, especially being one of the few green covers amid the bustling city.
The park saw the light of day to the public back in 1980 when the Late President Moi rescued it from grabbers.
For over 40 years, Lions Garden has promoted physical activities, business, and environmental sustainability.
Lions Garden has traditionally been a hub for significant political and civic events, as all Kenyan Presidents and other renowned politicians have held several roadside rallies herein.
Regrettably, the County Government of Nakuru intends to discontinue the park, following the ongoing installation of business stalls, which has precipitated the clearing of vegetation inside the park.
This situation has, however, been disregarded by salespeople and environmentalists, deeming the deed contradictory to the park’s law on public park management.
On the entrepreneurial side, the infiltration has jeopardized street vendors and photographers, as the future of their businesses shines dimmer by the day.
This is in line with the nature of their job, which requires people who come to relax rather than people who are rushing to work or back home.
Environmental enthusiasts have also raised a hand posing a question on the climatic future of Nakuru’s Central Business District, taking into account that the green cover
Nakuru Human Rights Defender David Kuria has voiced his discontentment, labelling the act by the County Government unlawful and unsound.
He has pointed out that public participation was not honored, since the citizenry of Nakuru has been against the move since the constructions commenced.
“It ought to be a recreational center, and a public space to hold meetings that are good for the community. For instance, there was a group that intended to popularize a move on blood donation here. Given this consideration, there clearly was no public participation,” Kuria said.
To affirm the demands by the public, Kuria has mentioned a court motion dated July 30,2024 in the Environment and Land Court of Kenya at Nakuru, before Honorable Lady Justice (Dr.) M.A Odeny.
The citation of the court motion reads, “Trusted Society of Human Rights Alliance VS County Executive Committee Members (CECM), Water, Environment, Energy, Natural Resources and Climate Change Nakuru County.”
Kuria has further stated that this move has never been witnessed elsewhere in the country, citing that it goes against the city’s urban development plan.
“The closure of the park in January in 2024 left the public thinking it was for renovation and expansion. And for the clearing of vegetation, we assumed they were pruning to facilitate more planting to improve the space but to our surprise, the intent was to construct stalls built of iron sheets,” he stated.
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