The Nairobi County Government has raised the alarm over missing sculptures from Central Park and is calling on scrap metal dealers to report any suspicious individuals attempting to sell them.
In a statement issued on Thursday, June 26, Nairobi County Chief Officer for Environment Geoffrey Mosiria confirmed that several bronze animal sculptures—depicting elephants, lions, hyenas, and buffalo—were stolen during recent protests and are still unaccounted for.
“If you see any of these sculptures at a scrap metal yard, or if someone tries to sell them to you, please report immediately to the nearest police station,” Mosiria appealed to traders and members of the public.
He emphasized that the county is working to retrieve sculptures that were removed and found scattered across the Central Business District (CBD), with plans underway to return them to their original locations at Central Park.
Mosiria further urged protestors to protect public infrastructure during demonstrations, noting that the vandalism will cost taxpayers as the county undertakes repairs and replacements.
“These sculptures were part of our city’s heritage and beautification efforts. When they are destroyed, it forces the county to use public funds for repairs, which could have been used elsewhere,” he noted.
The Environment Department has since launched a cleanup operation to remove debris—including rocks, tree branches, and broken concrete—left behind after Wednesday’s demonstrations, which turned violent in some areas.
“We are working to restore normalcy in the CBD by clearing all debris and ensuring businesses can resume operations. The city is now safe, and there’s no reason for residents to fear,” Mosiria assured.
Wednesday’s demonstrations, held to mark the anniversary of last year’s anti-finance bill protests, drew thousands of people across various towns. However, parts of Nairobi experienced unrest, with some protestors damaging infrastructure such as streetlights and waste bins, and looting several business premises.
In response, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has called for swift action by law enforcement against those responsible.
“The burning, maiming, and looting of businesses and disruption of peace in a few areas must not go unpunished,” Cherargei said in a statement on Thursday.
