NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 17 – National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has pledged to submit a comprehensive statement to the Senate, detailing the process that led to the proposed hiving off of a section of Nairobi National Park for the Bomas of Kenya redevelopment project.
Speaking during a Senate session, Mbadi said he was prepared to provide details on the legal and procedural framework governing the excision of land from Nairobi National Park if formally requested by lawmakers.
“On the issue of Bomas and hiving off of Nairobi National Park, there is a procedure for hiving off Nairobi National Park. If that is the procedure that you’re asking, I am glad to bring it to this House,” Mbadi said.
The CS was responding to concerns raised by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who questioned the process followed by the government in approving the proposed excision of part of the park.
Sifuna noted that Kenyans and environmental groups had expressed concerns over reports that a section of Nairobi National Park could be allocated for infrastructure associated with the Bomas project, including a proposed parking facility.
“Can you tell the country what process was followed by this government to hive off a section of Nairobi National Park for the Bomas project?” Sifuna asked.
Mbadi said he had not anticipated questions on how the decision was reached but maintained that he was fully capable of returning to the Senate to address the matter comprehensively.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga was arrested on June 8 during a protest against plans to hive off 76 acres of Nairobi National Park for the expansion of Bomas of Kenya and the relocation of the Nairobi Animal Orphanage.
The demonstration was sparked by proposals by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to allocate part of the park for the Sh41.9 billion Bomas of Kenya expansion project, which includes the construction of the Bomas International Convention Centre (BICC) and the relocation of the decades-old animal orphanage.
According to activist Njeri Mwangi, nine people, including Maraga, were arrested and taken to Lang’ata Police Station.
The protesters opposed the planned subdivision of the park, arguing that the land is a protected national heritage site and should not be used for development projects.
“We know they plan to use 76 acres to build a parking space and it should not happen because it did not have any public participation. We came here to stop the action. This is the only park in the capital city and we are against it,” she said.
