Uhuru Unveils Declaration for Preservation of the Iconic Fig Tree in Westlands, Nairobi

President Kenyatta on Thursday unveiled a presidential declaration on the conservation of the iconic fig tree located along Waiyaki Way in Westlands, Nairobi.

As a result, the over century-old giant tree has been adopted by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) for preservation as a “beacon of Kenya’s cultural and ecological heritage.”

“We are here today on the eve of Christmas to celebrate, I believe our past, our present, and our hopes for the future.”

“Indeed we had this recognition world over of the ‘green city in the sun’ but unfortunately, over the years we abandoned it and we are here to reaffirm and to declare our commitment as a country and as a people to our environment,” Uhuru said during the ceremony.

Kenyatta said the imposing tree, which is estimated to be between 125 to 150 years, links Kenyans with the country’s past, present, and future.

“There can be no greater significant symbol of that commitment than our presence here in front of this fig tree that was here long before Nairobi ever was,” he added.

The president said his administration is committed to restoring green spaces in Nairobi and improving the city’s environment in a bid to reclaim the ‘Green City in the Sun’ status.

Uhuru, who was accompanied by NMS director-general Major General Mohammed Badi, also presided over the annual lighting of the Christmas tree at the location.

Unlike in the past when the ceremony was held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, this year’s event was done around the iconic fig tree.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) had initially planned to cut down the tree to pave the way for the Sh65 billion Nairobi Expressway but the government changed its mind after an uproar from Kenyans on social media.