Mama Ngina Gardens Recreational Park in Thika received a major boost after the Kiambu County Government successfully re-launched the park through the County Leisure Parks’ Beautification and Transformation Programme.
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi who graced the inauguration ceremony said the County Government sought to provide residents with recreational spaces and parks that ensured safe congregation while enjoying nature and fresh air in relaxed environments, a move that is expected to improve their physical and mental wellness.
“We are living in difficult times where stress levels due to hard economic times, work issues and societal pressures are taking a toll on the mental health of our people. Most people do not have a place to unwind in the evenings after work or during the weekends with their children and therefore this project was very much in demand,” said Wamatangi.
“I am now calling upon all residents to patronize this beautiful park with their families now that it has officially been opened, to ensure a reduction in stress levels and to spend time together while enjoying the fresh air and nature in the park because statistics have proven that fresh air and nature have a calming effect on people which is exactly what we all need during this time,” added the county boss.
The rehabilitation work done on the park has seen it transformed into a modern botanical garden in the heart of Thika town that has been beneficial to both locals and visitors from other countries.
“I also want to urge local artists, musicians and food vendors to take advantage of this lucrative opportunity as residents converge in the park so that their services and wares can be sampled by the community,” Governor Wamatangi added.
Thika Water and Sewerage Company (THIWASCO) managing director Moses Kinya said he was happy with the progress the partnership between his company and the County Government had made in ensuring that water was available on a full-time basis at the park.
“We have taken up this project as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility Programme (CSR). We want to give back to the community and as such we have provided a water tank with twenty-four thousand litre capacity to ensure that the greenery in the park is well maintained and proper standards of hygiene in the washroom areas are observed,” said Mr. Kinya.
Njeri Warutere, a resident of Kiandutu in Thika said the park was much needed and she was happy with the relaunch.
“Previously the park was inhabited by street families and we had nowhere to go and relax with our families recreationally. Now I can take my five-year-old son to the park on weekends to play on the slides with other children while I also relax and take in the fresh air,” she said.
The project is in line with plans to elevate Thika town into a smart industrial city after Governor Kimani Wamatangi revealed that the smart city project would attract one billion shillings annually for infrastructure development.
By Hellen Lunalo
