Nairobi Governor Warned of Consequences for Demolishing Green Park Terminus
Johnson Sakaja, the governor of Nairobi, has been warned that his plan to demolish the Ksh180 million Green Park terminal, which was commissioned by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, will have severe economic, environmental, and political repercussions.
Despite the first-term governor’s ambitious plan to convert the controversial park into a multi-story, state-of-the-art hotel, questions arose regarding governance structures’ lack of transparency, accountability, and consistency.
Sakaja argued in a media interview on Wednesday, June 21, that the project, which cost the government Ksh180 million, was a waste and that building luxury hotels will help the county recoup the money.
“Imagine arriving in Nairobi from abroad and exiting the expressway into the city center within five minutes. There is a shopping mall and additional facilities. We are exploring the possibility of achieving this through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). “Investors have expressed interest in constructing hotels within the conference center,” Sakaja remarked.
Implications
Stakeholders, however, argue that Sakaja’s plan is ill-advised, given the country’s current economic difficulties.
Kileleshwa County Assembly Member Robert Alai told GossipA2Z that lawmakers will only support the project if Sakaja provides empirical data to guide its implementation.
“If the governor intends to repurpose Green Park, he or she must base this decision on data and research. Alai stated to GossipA2Z, “He must convince me that there is a demand for conference facilities and that taxpayer funds will not be wasted.”
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“However, we currently have more pressing concerns, such as building schools and roads. I believe the governor can prioritize this first,” Alai said, adding that Sakaja should also prioritize education, healthcare, and other essential infrastructure projects.
Alai warned that poor governance results in corruption, which hinders economic growth and contributes to insecurity. Such projects’ lack of transparency and accountability may also erode public confidence in Sakaja.
Javas Bigambo, a specialist in governance and political communication strategist, concurred and added that Sakaja would face a multitude of obstacles, including court cases and opposition from environmental activists and other stakeholders.
Bigambo indicated that the first-time governor will face legal battles as a result of the Ksh180 million cost implications of repurposing the project.
Before embarking on a project affecting the transportation industry, he urged the governor to consult with various stakeholders.
Green Park Terminus was conceived to assist in decongesting the Central Business District (CBD) of Nairobi. Despite multiple attempts by the defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) and Sakaja’s administration, matatus operators were not able to relocate to the facility.
“The Governor must first hire matatu operators because Green Park Terminus is reserved for them. Bigambo told GossipA2Z that they can reconsider their decision and oppose the new plan to construct conference facilities.
Moreover, he opined that parliamentarians would oppose the construction of hotels and convention centers because a multi-story structure could pose a security risk to the adjacent Green Park terminus.
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“As you may recall, members of Congress voiced concerns during the planning phase of the Nairobi Expressway. Because the national assembly is just across the street, the construction of such hotels will likely expose them to security risks, he insisted.
Bigambo, a former lecturer at Moi University’s Nairobi Campus, urged Sakaja to conduct proper public participation and also consult other facilities in the vicinity of the target area, including the Railway Golf Club, to overcome obstacles that could derail the project.
Sakaja should also specify how the hotels will be managed and whether they will be leased or operated by a private company.
Nairobi Governor Warned of Consequences for Demolishing Green Park Terminus
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