Like many urban green spaces, it has faced years of neglect, degradation and controversy.
Now, a new wave of collaborative efforts is breathing life back into the garden, with the aim of restoring its ecological, social and economic value.
Mombasa’s chief sustainability officer Basis Angaga, Maasai Mara University’s prof Paul Webala and CIFOR-ICRAF senior advisor Cathy Watson at Uhuru Garden, Mombasa
/Charles Mghenyi
In the heart of Mombasa’s CBD, lies a quiet sanctuary — the
Uhuru Garden— which is along the busy Moi Avenue.
This 1.1-hectare green space has served as a rare refuge
from the sweltering coastal heat, and a home for a straw-coloured fruit bats.
However, like many urban green spaces, it has faced years of
neglect, degradation and controversy.
Now, a new wave of collaborative efforts is breathing life
back into the garden, with the aim of restoring its ecological, social and
economic value.
From June 5 to 8 this year, a comprehensive botanical survey
was conducted at Uhuru Garden by a coalition of experts and partners, including
the Mombasa county government, Kenya Forest Service, Together for Climate, CIFOR-ICRAF
(World Agroforestry) and African Forests.
The survey documented 143 individual trees and shrubs,
spanning 55 different species. Of these, 16 were indigenous to Kenya while the
remaining 39 were exotic.
The ecological significance of Uhuru Garden became a matter
of public debate in late May when two large trees were felled, sparking uproar
among residents and environmentalists.
The action, which was undertaken for public safety reasons,
ignited concern about the Mombasa’s approach to tree management.
“The trees were perceived hazardous, but the bigger issue
was a lack of proper communication and awareness around the risks and benefits
of trees in urban setting,” said Basil Angaga, Chief Sustainability Officer for
the City of Mombasa.
Angaga said the incident had prompted the county government
to prioritise better assessment and monitoring of the health of urban trees,
coupled with public education.
“We now want to ensure future decisions are science-based,
transparent and well-communicated,” he added.
Angaga said they have now partnered with other organisations
to restore Uhuru Garden.
He said they will introduce more indigenous trees to
increase shade and help residents cope with rising urban temperatures.
The new vision for Uhuru Garden includes transforming it
into an educational hub. Mombasa plans to work with schools, universities and
community groups to raise awareness about biodiversity, tree health and climate
resilience.
“There’s an opportunity here to turn this space into a
living classroom. We want the people of Mombasa, especially the youth, to take
ownership of their green spaces,” Angaga said.
The rehabilitation will be community-led, with residents
involved in cleaning, planting and maintaining the park. Grass will be
reintroduced and protected, with more seating areas created to welcome families
and visitors.
CIFOR-ICRAF and partners have committed to supporting the
garden’s rehabilitation, including replanting grass, managing weeds and
upgrading landscaping.
“This park is more than just a patch of grass and trees,
it’s a cooling centre. We measured temperatures of 37°C on the tarmac just
outside, but inside the garden it dropped to 27°C. That’s a life-saving
difference,” said Cathy Watson, a senior advisor at CIFOR-ICRAF.
Watson emphasised that improving the garden isn’t just an
environmental priority, it’s a public health and social opportunity.
She also said a unique ecological feature of Uhuru Garden is
its resident straw-colored fruit bat (Eidolon helvum) colony.
These bats, often misunderstood, are vital pollinators and
seed dispersers, particularly along Kenya’s Coast.
Professor Paul Webala of Maasai Mara University, a bat
expert and conservationist, emphasized the need to move beyond tourism’s
traditional focus on the "big five" and embrace the unseen
biodiversity that lives in urban areas.
“Bats are crucial to our ecosystems. They help regenerate
forests by dispersing seeds far and wide. Unfortunately, habitat destruction
and misinformation have led to fear and vilification,” he said.
While some concerns link bats to disease spill overs, Webala
clarified that the risks are often exaggerated and poorly understood.
Instant analysis
Conserving Uhuru Garden is crucial for Mombasa’s
environmental resilience, public health, and cultural identity. As urban
temperatures rise and green spaces dwindle, the garden offers much-needed
shade, biodiversity and mental well-being for city dwellers. Home to rare
indigenous trees and a vital bat colony, it serves both ecological and
educational purposes.
