After ridicule, Mike Sonko's Nairobi lion statues excite foreigners ▷ Kenya News

- Nairobi residents had ridiculed Mike Sonko after a weather-beaten like lion statue was erected at the Waiyaki Way-Univesity Way roundabout

- Days after the backlash, a more beautiful and realistic statue was erected at the same spot

- The new statue has since excited city residents and visitors by it impressiveness

Mike Sonko's Nairobi lion statues have started to excite both locals and foreigners barely days after they became a topic of ridicule.

In a spot check around the city, TUKO.co.ke learned that besides Nairobians, tourists from across the globe flocked the city to have a look at the statues which had set social media a blaze.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

One of the foreigners excited by the lion statues was a German national who was among a group of others who expressed their excitement at the statues.

READ ALSO: Gospel singer Bahati reluctant to help upcoming artists because they turn against him after success

A German national takes memorable photos besides a lion statue in Nairobi. Photo: John Papanoo.
Source: Original

Tuko.co.ke understands that the lion statue is part of a beautification project that City Hall has embarked on since 2018 which involves planting of grass on major streets across the capital city.

However, after Nairobi residents bashed the statues across social media, the County Government rushed to replace the statues with the new ones.

The new king of the jungle statue placed at the roundabout of Waiyaki Way and University Way is the most attractive.

READ ALSO: Ajali ya ndege Ethiopia: Mkenya aliyelinusurika kifo kwa kukosa kuiabiri ndege iliyoangamiza watu 157 awasili JKIA

Some residents told Tuko.co.ke that it was the new statue that seem to be a new tourist attraction.

According to the Nairobi Beautification Programme Director Joab Ogolla, the sculpture only needed a bit of ‘touch up’.

"It has come to my attention that several residents have raised concerns over the lion statue at University Way roundabout that it did not meet the required threshold," he said.

According to the county CEC in charge of tourism and trade Allan Igambi, in the next few months, Nairobi will be an international tourist attraction site ranging from the famous historic Uhuru Park grounds once the beautification process is done.

READ ALSO: Ethiopian Airlines crash: Kenyan journalist dies in ill-fated flight

The new king of the jungle statue placed at the roundabout of Waiyaki Way and University Way is the most attractive. Photo: John Papanoo.
Source: Original

"Kenyans should expect a new Nairobi city different from the Nairobi of 2017," Said Igambi.

Igambi also added that with the new face of the green city under the sun, more investors are expected to visit Kenya hence growth of both local and international trade activities expected to improve significantly.

"We will have more investors in our county, once the city becomes more attractive and appealing to all," said Igambi.

Igambi has also urged Nairobi residents to take advantage of the statue and take as many pictures as they can as a way of appreciating efforts by Governor Sonko’s government to beautify the capital.

Story by J. Papanoo, Tuko correspondent-Nairobi

Do you have a life-changing story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through [email protected] or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news.

Atwoli's Prayer for Kenya - On Tuko TV

Source: Tuko.co.ke