Jevanjee Garden set for major rehabilitation
The Jevanjee Garden is to receive a major boost as it has been identified by Nairobi City County, UN Habitat and Norwegian government for rehabilitation and upgrade as part of the program to spruce up 60 open spaces in the County.
This announcement was made a site assessment tour by a team from Nairobi City County led by County Executives’ Tom Odongo (Housing and Planning) and Evans Ondieki (Environment) and a delegation from UN Habitat led by Dr. Aisa Kirabo and Kenyan Ambassador of UN Habitat, George Oruna and a team from the Norwegian government.
“Jevanjee gardens is part of the 60 open spaces identified for improvement by Nairobi County and its development partners from the UN Habitat and the Norwegian government which we would like to transform into public recreation facility as well as enhance social integration,” Odongo said.
“This program is meant to improve and change the face of the city and to embrace the attraction site which for years has been neglected. We will introduce water points, regulate the number of preachers, provide adequate street lighting and change the pebble walk paths,” he added.
The Jevanjee Garden located within the CBD is an invaluable facility to many city residents who frequent the park to relax mostly during lunch hour breaks.
SOCIAL EVENTS
The park continues to host historical political and religious rallies, cultural and social events.
“We partnered with Norwegian government and the UN-Habitat to enhance capacity building and also for their utmost support in providing a team of experts for the design of the open spaces. Jevanjee garden is a heritage that needs to be upheld because it has preserved socio-cultural networks,” said Ondieki.
The Deputy Director of UN-Habitat Dr. Kirabo said the program acted as a center for democracy and urbanization which brought about regional integration and sustainable development to the city and it was an honor for the UN-Habitat to work with the Nairobi City County government.
She added that this not only made the county attractive and accessible but it would also enhance the relationship between the private sector and the government.
The programs architect Richard Irungu explained that the transformation took place in three phases which had to be consecutive.
Some of the steps being taken in each phase include paving, installation of statues, notice boards, Wi-Fi and a playing area for children with more seats and sculptures.