Sifuna Slams Atwoli’s Outrageous Nairobi National Park Development Plan
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has criticized Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli for advocating that the Nairobi National Park be replaced with apartment buildings.
Speaking in Kakamega on Friday, July 25, Sifuna questioned why Atwoli was selfish in denying the younger generation the opportunity to enjoy the surroundings like he and his family once enjoyed.
“I have an eight-year-old daughter, and she was asking me, ‘Why does Atwoli want the animals to be removed from the National Park, yet we love those animals?'” Sifuna said.
“I wanted Atwoli to be here to ask him this question: why do you want the Nairobi National Park to be removed after you had an opportunity to take your wives, children, and grandchildren?” the Senator boldly asked in front of the ODM party leader, Raila Odinga.
Edwin Sifuna: Wewe Francis Atwoli, you are saying that wild animals should be removed from Nairobi National Park to build apartments. How childish can you be? pic.twitter.com/gOzo67R4TT
— Cornelius Kariuki Ronoh (@itskipronoh) July 26, 2025
“And now that you are old, why don’t you want the younger generation to enjoy the same?”
The COTU SG elicited varied emotions after urging the government to start expanding Nairobi City to alleviate congestion and accommodate the growing population.
Among his recommendations, Atwoli wants Nairobi County to reclaim the currently occupied territory by Nairobi National Park for development.
“We must use the national park land around Nairobi. We must take those animals to the Maasai Mara,” he proposed.
Atwoli calls on Kenyans to allow for expansion of Nairobi, even into protected areas such as the Nairobi National Park pic.twitter.com/y6Usqip0Uu
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) June 23, 2025
He added that the space could be used to grow the city and enhance its global image.
Atwoli said that the city, although being the only one with a national park, needed to be transformed in order for expansion to occur.
Although Nairobi County has yet to respond to Atwoli’s proposal, it remains to be seen where it will be implemented.
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If implemented, Nairobi would lose one of the characteristics that distinguish it as a city with a national park.
Atwoli, who attended the same gathering as Sifuna, did not have the opportunity to justify his words because he had already left.
On the occasion, ODM politics took center stage, with several figures, including party leader Raila, asking for party unity.
Speaking at the event, Atwoli urged Kenyans to listen to Raila, alleging that the former Prime Minister makes no mistakes as his steps are always calculated.
Sifuna Slams Atwoli’s Outrageous Nairobi National Park Development Plan
