This archive report was first published on 29 October 2019.
On October 29, 2019, the public expressed concern over a proposal to carve out a section of Uhuru Park for a major highway connecting JKIA to Westlands in Nairobi.
As one of the few remaining significant green spaces in the capital, Uhuru Park is crucial for a clean and healthy environment.
Prof Wangari Maathai, a renowned environmentalist, fought tirelessly in the 1990s to protect the park from the then-ruling party Kanu, led by President Daniel arap Moi.
Her efforts, marked by personal sacrifices and insults, ultimately saved the park and cemented her status as a champion of environmental conservation.
Maathai's legacy was further recognized when she received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her conservation work.
Today, the proposed highway project threatens to desecrate Maathai's legacy and the park's significance.
While the road project is essential for easing traffic congestion and promoting development, it is crucial to find alternative solutions that do not compromise the park's integrity.
