Donated to the residents of Nairobi in 1906 by Alibhai Mullah Jeevanjee, this 5 acre recreational park is one of few green spaces gracing Nairobi City. The park has on more than one occasion been faced with extinction when the Nairobi City Council in collaboration with development partners planned in 1991, and later in 2007, to develop it by constructing in its place a multi-story parking lot, bus terminus, markets, theatres and shopping malls (Zarina Patel ,“revitalising” Jeevanjee’s Gardens). These plans were shelved each time following objections raised by Zarina Patel (Jeevanjee’s grand-daughter), Wangari Maathai’s Green Belt Movement, and other activists. In 2007 some of these activists were arrested and remanded in jail for some days over this issue. Only time will tell whether the park will survive the next onslaught. In light of this uncertain future, it is a blessing that should be treasured and enjoyed by the city’s residents while it’s still in existence.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 16:20:34 +0000
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