Uhuru Park, Public park in central Nairobi, Kenya
Uhuru Park is a 12.9-hectare recreational park beside Nairobi's central business district, opened to the public on 23 May 1969. It holds an artificial lake, several national monuments and an assembly ground. A long hedge with small reddish flowers runs along its edge, and beyond it low trees and shrubs stand on open ground.
The park was opened by President Jomo Kenyatta in 1969 as a symbol of Kenya's independence. Its name means freedom in Swahili, reflecting the nation's status as a sovereign country.
The name Uhuru means freedom in Swahili. The assembly ground hosts weekend skateboarding, including a best-trick contest held in 2017, alongside occasional political and religious gatherings. In August 1996 a group led by Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga burned a heap of condoms here.
Entry is free, but visitors must carry a national ID. The park was fenced with blue corrugated iron and a spiked green wire fence when it closed in November 2021, and it reopened on 30 March 2024 under Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. It sits next to the central business district.
One area has naturally become a popular spot for skateboarding, where local enthusiasts gather regularly to practice and compete. This informal venue hosts competitions and serves as a hub for the city's skating community.
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