Nairobi

Nairobi
—  Consolidated city-county  —
Flag Coat of arms
Nickname: "The Green City under the Sun"
Country	Kenya
County	Nairobi City
Founded	1899
Government
- Legislature	County Assembly
- Governor	Johnson Sakaja
Area
- Consolidated city-county	696.1 km² (268.8 sq mi)
Elevation	1,795 m (5,889 ft)
Population (2019)
- Consolidated city-county	4,397,073
- Density	6,317/km² (16,361/sq mi)
- Urban	4,397,073
Time zone	EAT (UTC+03:00)
Area code(s)	020
Website: nairobi.go.ke

Nairobi (/naɪˈroʊbi/ ny-ROH-bee) is the capital and largest city of Kenya, located in the south-central part of the country. Its name originates from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, meaning "place of cool waters." Nicknamed the "Green City under the Sun," Nairobi is notable for being the only capital city in the world that hosts a national park within its boundaries.

As the capital of the country, Nairobi is home to the Kenyan Parliament Buildings, the State House and the Supreme Court Building. It is the major financial and economic hub of East Africa, hosting thousands of Kenyan businesses and international companies and organizations.

Nairobi was founded in 1898 by colonial authorities in British East Africa, as a rail depot on the Uganda–Kenya Railway. The town quickly grew to replace Mombasa as the capital of Kenya in 1907. After independence in 1963, Nairobi became the capital of the Republic of Kenya. The successive post-independence governments have built and turned Nairobi into a modern metropolitan city with a diverse population and a growing economy, while maintaining its many parks and gardens that support numerous species and provide beautiful and calm surroundings for citizens and visitors alike to enjoy.

History

Early years

Nairobi in 1899

In the pre-colonial era, the people of modern Kenya mostly lived in villages amongst their tribes and cultural groups, where they had rulers within their communities rather than one singular government or leader. The site of Nairobi was originally a swamp land occupied by a pastoralist people, the Maasai, the long-distance trader community, Akamba People, as well as the agriculturalist Kikuyu people. The name Nairobi comes from the Maasai language expression meaning "cool waters," referring to the cold water stream which flowed through the area.

Nairobi was founded in 1898 by colonial authorities in British East Africa. With the arrival of the Uganda Railway, the site was identified by Sir George Whitehouse for a store depot, shunting ground, and camping ground for the Indian laborers working on the railway. Whitehouse favored the location due to its high elevation, temperate climate, and adequate water supply, being situated before the steep ascent of the Limuru escarpments. His choice was criticized by officials within the Protectorate government who felt the site was too flat, poorly drained, and relatively infertile.

The entrance to Nairobi railway station in 1899

In 1898, Arthur Church was first and foremost commissioned to design the first town layout for the railway depot. It had two streets – Victoria Street and Station Street, ten avenues, staff quarters and an Indian commercial area. The railway arrived at Nairobi on May 30, 1899, and soon Nairobi replaced Machakos as the headquarters of the provincial administration for the Ukamba province.

On the arrival of the railway, Whitehouse remarked that "Nairobi itself will in the course of the next two years become a large and flourishing place and already there are many applications for sites for hotels, shops and houses." In the early 1900s, Bazaar Street, now Biashara Street, was completely rebuilt after an outbreak of plague and the burning of the original town.

Between 1902 and 1910, the town's population rose from 5,000 to 16,000 and grew around administration and tourism, initially in the form of big game hunting. In 1907, Nairobi replaced Mombasa as the capital of the East Africa Protectorate. In 1919, Nairobi was declared to be a municipality.

Growth

In 1921, Nairobi had 24,000 residents, of which circa 12,000 were native Africans. The next decade saw growth in native African communities in Nairobi, and they began to constitute a majority for the first time. This rapid growth caused planning issues. In February 1926, colonial officer Eric Dutton passed through Nairobi on his way to Mount Kenya, and said of the city:

Maybe one day Nairobi will be laid out with tarred roads, with avenues of flowering trees, flanked by noble buildings; with open spaces and stately squares; a cathedral worthy of faith and country; museums and of art; theatres and public offices. And it is fair to say that the Government and the Municipality have already bravely tackled the problem and that a town-plan ambitious enough to turn Nairobi into a thing of beauty has been slowly worked out, and much has already been done. But until that plan has borne fruit, Nairobi must remain what she was then, a slatternly creature, unfit to queen it over so lovely a country.

After World War II, continuous expansion of the city angered both the indigenous Maasai and Kikuyu. This led to the Mau Mau Uprising in the 1950s, and the Lancaster House Conferences, which initiated a transition to Kenyan independence in 1963.

Post independence

Nairobi in 1973

Nairobi remained the capital of Kenya after independence, and its continued rapid growth put pressure on the city's infrastructure with power cuts and water shortages becoming a common occurrence. The successive post-independence governments have built and turned Nairobi into a modern metropolitan city with a diverse population and a growing economy.

In September 1973, the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) was opened to the public by the founding president of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta. The 28-story building at the time was designed by the Norwegian architect Karl Henrik Nøstvik and Kenyan David Mutiso. It is the only building within the city with a helipad that is open to the public. Of the buildings built in the Seventies, the KICC was the most eco-friendly and most environmentally conscious structure. Its main frame was constructed with locally available materials like gravel, sand, cement, and wood, and it had wide open spaces which allowed for natural aeration and lighting. Cuboids made up the plenary hall, the tower consisted of a cylinder composed of several cuboids, and the amphitheater and helipad both resembled cones. The tower was built around a concrete core and it had no walls but glass windows, which allowed for maximum natural lighting.

In 1972, the World Bank approved funds for further expansion of the then Nairobi Airport (now Jomo Kenyatta International Airport), including a new international and domestic passenger terminal building, the airport's first dedicated cargo and freight terminal, new taxiways, associated aprons, internal roads, car parks, police and fire stations, a State Pavilion, airfield and roadway lighting, fire hydrant system, water, electrical, telecommunications and sewage systems, a dual carriageway passenger access road, security, drainage and the building of the main access road to the airport (Airport South Road). On March 14,1978, construction of the terminal building was completed on the other side of the airport's single runway and opened by President Jomo Kenyatta less than five months before his death. The airport was renamed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in memory of its first president.

Twenty-first century

Nairobi showing Fedha Towers, ICEA Building, the Nairobi Safari Club, and Anniversary Towers

The early twenty-first century saw several major infrastructure projects. In May 2017, President Uhuru Kenyatta inaugurated the Standard Gauge Railway which connects Nairobi to Mombasa.

Other significant projects include: The Nairobi Expressway, completed in 2022, was developed to reduce traffic congestion along Mombasa Road. In 2021, the Green Park Bus Terminal, part of efforts to improve public transport, began operations. In line with the Kenyan government's Affordable Housing Program, various housing developments are underway to accommodate the city's growing population.

Geography

A satellite view of Nairobi, 2004

Nairobi is situated between the cities of Kampala and Mombasa. As it is adjacent to the eastern edge of the Rift Valley, minor earthquakes and tremors occasionally occur. The Ngong Hills, located to the west of the city, are the most prominent geographical feature of the Nairobi area. Mount Kenya is situated north of Nairobi, and Mount Kilimanjaro is towards the south-east. The Nairobi River and its tributaries traverse through the Nairobi County and joins the larger River Athi on the eastern edge of the county.

Nairobi's western suburbs stretch all the way from the Kenyatta National Hospital in the south to the United Nations headquarters at Gigiri suburb in the north, a distance of about 20 kilometers (12 mi). In the center of the city is the City Square, located in the Central Business District. The Kenyan Parliament buildings, the Holy Family Cathedral, Nairobi City Hall, Nairobi Law Courts, and the Kenyatta Convention Centre all surround the square.

Climate

Under the Köppen climate classification, Nairobi has a subtropical highland climate (Cwb). At 1,795 meters (5,889 ft) above sea level, evenings may be cool, especially in the June/July season, when the temperature can drop to 9 °C (48 °F). The sunniest and warmest part of the year is from December to March, when temperatures average in the high-twenties Celsius during the day. The mean maximum temperature for this period is 28 °C (82 °F).

There are rainy seasons, but rainfall can be moderate. The cloudiest part of the year is just after the first rainy season, when, until September, conditions are usually overcast with drizzle. As Nairobi is situated close to the equator, the differences between the seasons are minimal. The seasons are referred to as the wet season and dry season. The timing of sunrise and sunset varies little throughout the year for the same reason.

Parks and gardens

Central Park

Nairobi has many parks and open spaces throughout the city. The most famous park in Nairobi is Uhuru Park, which borders the central business district and the neighborhood Upper Hill. Uhuru (Freedom in Swahili) Park is a center for outdoor speeches, services, and rallies. Central Park is adjacent to Uhuru Park, and includes a memorial for Jomo Kenyatta, the first president of Kenya, and the Moi Monument, built in 1988 to commemorate the second president's first decade in power.

Both Uhuru Park and Central Park were renovated by the-then Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) together with the Kenya Defence Forces. The process incorporates several key elements, including a cascading water feature, upgraded sanitation facilities, a skateboarding zone, and pedestrian-friendly paths. It also highlights statues of native wildlife, carefully groomed lawns, thriving trees, improved footpaths, and expanded green zones. A botanical section has been established as well, showcasing a diverse collection of flowers and plant species to reflect Kenya's abundant floral heritage.

Among Nairobi's most historic and oldest public green spaces, Jeevanjee Gardens is located within the Central Business District, and features beautiful gardens with artistic benches and sculptures. The park was created in the early twentieth century by Asian industrialist A.M. Jeevanjee.

The John Michuki Memorial Park is situated along the Nairobi River, stretching from Globe Cinema Roundabout to Museum Bridge. Previously known as the Mazingira Park, it was renamed in tribute to the late former Cabinet Minister John Michuki, who was instrumental in the restoration of the Nairobi River and its surroundings during his time as Minister for Environment. The park was reopened in August 2020 by President Uhuru Kenyatta after renovation by the Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), and National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

Nairobi Arboretum, located near the State House, was founded in 1907 by E. Batiscombe as a trial site for forestry tree species, is a 30-hectare botanical reserve that hosts more than 350 types of trees and functions as both a leisure destination and a research hub.

Karura Forest, the city-based nature reserve, features nature trails, picnic spots, caves, and waterfalls. It is an excellent destination for birdwatching as the area is home to over 200 documented bird species. While strolling along the trails, visitors may also catch glimpses of monkeys and bushbucks.

Nairobi City Park is one of Nairobi's oldest and most expansive urban green spaces, spanning over 60 hectares. City Park holds considerable ecological value: It preserves one of the last remaining patches of indigenous forest that once blanketed the region. The park is home to a rich array of biodiversity, including Sykes' monkeys, various bird species, and a wide assortment of native plant life. City Park also carries historical weight, because it hosts cemeteries for veterans of World War I and II and is the final resting place of notable figures such as freedom fighter Pio Gama Pinto and former Vice President Joseph Murumbi, whose memorial garden is located within the park grounds.

A giraffe at Nairobi National Park, with Nairobi's skyline in background

Nairobi National Park is a national park in Kenya that was established in 1946 about 7 km (4.3 mi) south of Nairobi. It is fenced on three sides. Its southern boundary is formed by the Mbagathi River. This boundary is not fenced and is open to the Kitengela Conservation Area (located immediately south of the park) and the Athi-Kapiti plains. This open southern boundary allows migrating wildlife to move between the park and the adjacent plains.

Oloolua Nature Trail is situated in Oloolua Forest in the Karen area of Nairobi. It is under the management of Kenya Institute of Primate Research (KIPRE) and provides opportunities for nature walks, bird watching, and enjoying the natural environment. Key attractions include a 37-meter deep natural cave that was historically used by Mau Mau fighters, a beautiful waterfall draining into the Mbagathi River, a bamboo resting point, and a papyrus swamp.

Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary contains winding walking and jogging paths that pass through tall trees inhabited by various bird species, with occasional sightings of Sykes monkeys. The area also includes a picnic site and a playground for children. Additionally, Ngong Road Forest has cycling trails that run beneath the indigenous tree canopy.

The Nairobi Botanical Gardens, located within the National Museum of Kenya, are organized into themed sections, each highlighting a particular conservation topic. For example, the Children's Garden focuses on botany and habitat, providing a space where visitors can learn about indigenous and exotic plants while enjoying open lawns and an outdoor amphitheater. Other sections include the Grass Gardens, which showcase important food and beverage plants, the Herbal Garden dedicated to medicinal and food plants, the Succulent Gardens illustrating plant adaptations to arid environments, the Quarry Garden transformed from a former quarry, and the Memorial Garden commemorating World War II with symbolic plants and a water feature.

Political divisions

Nairobi southern suburbs,2003

Kibera slums being upgraded to new apartments by the Kenyan Ministry of housing and United Nations Habitat

The City of Nairobi has the status of a full administrative county.

Initially, Nairobi was one of the eight provinces in Kenya before 2013. The Nairobi province differed in several ways from other Kenyan regions. Nairobi Province was not divided into "districts" until 2007, when three districts were created. In 2010, along with the new constitution, Nairobi was renamed a county and consolidated into a city-county. The county is entirely urban. It had only one local council, Nairobi City Council, which was replaced by Nairobi City County after the new constitution was effected in March 2013.

Nairobi is divided into a series of constituencies, with each being represented by members of Parliament in the National Assembly. Constituency name may differ from division name, such that Starehe Constituency is equal to Central Division, Lang'ata Constituency to Kibera division, and Kamukunji Constituency to Pumwani Division in terms of boundaries.

Nairobi is divided into 17 constituencies and 85 wards, mostly named after residential estates. Kibera Division, for example, includes Kibera, Kenya's largest slum, and the affluent estates of Karen and Langata.

The main administrative divisions of Nairobi are Central, Dagoretti, Embakasi, Kasarani, Kibera, Makadara, Pumwani, and Westlands. Most of the upmarket suburbs are situated to the west and north-central of Nairobi, where most European settlers resided during the colonial times. The city's colonial past is commemorated by many English place-names.

Most lower-middle and upper middle income neighborhoods are located in the north-central areas, and areas to the southwest and southeast of the metropolitan area near the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

The low and lower income estates, such as the Kibera slum, are located mainly in far eastern Nairobi.

Economy

Nairobi is a major financial capital of Africa, and one of the most modern cities in Africa.

Nairobi is home to the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), one of Africa's largest stock exchanges.

Nairobi is the regional headquarters of several international companies and organizations. Several of Africa's largest companies are headquartered in Nairobi. Safaricom, the largest company in Kenya by assets and profitability, is headquartered in Nairobi and KenGen, which is the largest African stock outside South Africa, is based in the city. Kenya Airways, Africa's fourth largest airline, uses Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as a hub.

Goods manufactured in Nairobi include clothing, textiles, building materials, processed foods, beverages, and cigarettes.

Nairobi has a large tourist industry, being both a tourist destination and a transport hub.

Central Business District (CBD)

Nairobi has grown around its central business district, usually referred to colloquially as "the CBD." This takes a pentagonal shape, around the Uhuru Highway, Haile Selassie Avenue, Moi Avenue, and University Way. It features many of Nairobi's important buildings, including the City Hall and Parliament Building. The city square is also located within the perimeter. The CBD is bordered to the southwest by Uhuru Park and Central Park. The Mombasa to Kampala railway runs to the southeast of the district.

Most of the skyscrapers in this region are the headquarters of businesses and corporations, such as I&M and the Kenyatta International Conference Centre. The United States Embassy bombing took place in this district, prompting the building of a new embassy building in the suburbs.

A large beautification project took place in the Central Business District as the city prepared to host the 2006 Afri-Cities summit. Iconic buildings such as the Kenyatta International Conference Centre had their exteriors cleaned and repainted.

Upper Hill

Prism Tower in Upper Hill

Two areas outside the Central Business District that are seeing growth in companies and office space are Upper Hill, which is located, approximately 4 km (2.5 mi) from the Central Business District and Westlands, about the same distance from the city center.

Large office developments in Upper Hill include UAP Old Mutual Tower and Britam Tower. The UAP Tower, a 33-storey tower 163 meters (535 ft) high, was completed in 2015 and opened for business in July 2016, The Britam Tower, the tallest building in Kenya, rises 195 meters (640 ft) above ground, with 32 usable floors. The building features a unique prismic shape, that starts as an equal four sided square footprint and ends with a two sided roof with a 60-meter (200 ft) mast, containing three helical wind turbines.

To accommodate the large demand for floor space in Nairobi, various commercial projects are being constructed. New business parks are being built in the city, including the flagship Nairobi Business Park.

Construction boom

A view of Nairobi from the Kenyatta International Conference Centre

Nairobi has been undergoing a construction boom. Major real estate projects and skyscrapers are coming up in the city. Among them are the pinnacle twin towers which will tower at 314 m, Britam Tower (200 m), Avic International Africa headquarters (176 m), Prism tower (140 m), Pan Africa insurance towers, Pallazzo offices, and many other projects. Shopping malls are also being constructed like the recently completed Garden city Mall, Centum's Two rivers Mall, The Hub in Karen, Karen waterfront, Thika Greens, and the recently reconstructed Westgate Mall.

High-class residential apartments for living are coming up like Le Mac towers, a residential tower in Westlands Nairobi with 23 floors. Avic International is also putting up a total of four residential apartments on Waiyaki way: a 28-level tower, two 24-level towers, and a 25-level tower. Hotel towers are also being erected in the city.

Avic International is putting up a 30-level hotel tower of 141 m in the Westlands. The hotel tower will be operated by Marriot group. Jabavu limited is constructing a 35 floor hotel tower in Upper Hill which will be high over 140 metres in the city skyline. Arcon Group Africa has also announced plans to erect a skyscraper in Upper hill which will have 66 floors and tower over 290 metres, further cementing Upper hill as the preferred metropolis for multinational corporations launching their operations in the Kenyan capital.

Demographics

Nairobi is the largest city in Kenya. Its population is youthful and rapidly growing, reflecting ongoing urbanization and migration trends.

Religion in Nairobi is diverse but predominantly Christian. Islam is the second-largest religion in the county. Nairobi also has the largest Hindu population in Kenya. Smaller proportions of the population adhere to traditional African religions, other religions, or report no religion or atheism.

Culture

Nairobi is a diverse melting pot of African cultures. As a cosmopolitan African city, it hosts all the diverse tribes that make up Kenya, and hosts a large immigrant population from other African countries.

Nairobi has two informal nicknames. The first is "The Green City in the Sun," which is derived from the city's foliage and warm climate. The second is the "Safari Capital of the World," which is used due to Nairobi's prominence as a hub for safari tourism.

Literature and film

Kwani? is Kenya's first literary journal and was established by writers living in Nairobi. Nairobi's publishing houses have also produced the works of some of Kenya's authors, including Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o and Meja Mwangi who were part of post-colonial writing.

Perhaps the most famous book and film set in Nairobi is Out of Africa. The book was written by Karen Blixen, whose pseudonym was Isak Dinesen, and it is her account of living in Kenya. Karen Blixen lived in the Nairobi area from 1917 to 1931. The neighborhood in which she lived, Karen, is named after her. In 1985, Out of Africa was made into a film, directed by Sydney Pollack. The film won 28 awards, including seven Academy Awards. The popularity of the film prompted the opening of Nairobi's Karen Blixen Museum.

Nairobi is the setting of many of the novels of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, Kenya's foremost writer. Many film makers also practice their craft out of Nairobi. Film-making is still young in the country, but people like producer Njeri Karago and director Judy Kibinge are paving the way for others.

Among the latest Kenyan actors in Hollywood who identify with Nairobi is Lupita Nyong'o, daughter of Kenyan politician Peter Anyang' Nyong'o. Lupita received an Oscar award for best supporting actress in her role as Patsy in the film 12 Years a Slave (2013).

Music

Nairobi is the centre of Kenya's music scene. Benga is a Kenyan genre which was developed in Nairobi. The style is a fusion of jazz and Luo music forms. Mugithi is another popular genre in Kenya, with its origins in the central parts of the country. A majority of music videos of leading local musicians are also filmed in the city.

In the 1970s, Nairobi became the prominent center for music in the African Great Lakes. During this period, Nairobi was established as a hub of soukous music. This genre was originally developed in Kinshasa and Brazzaville. After the political climate in the region deteriorated, many Congolese artists relocated to Nairobi and found success.

More recently, Nairobi has become the center of the Kenyan hip hop scene. The genre has become very popular amongst local youth, and domestic musicians have become some of the most popular in the region. Nairobi, including the coastal towns of Mombasa and Diani, have recently become the center of EDM in Kenya, producing DJs as well as producers.

Sports

Nyayo National Stadium

Nairobi is the African Great Lakes region's sporting center. Notable annual events staged in Nairobi include Safari Rally, Safari Sevens rugby union tournament, and Nairobi Marathon.

Facilities

The premier sports facility in Nairobi and generally in Kenya is the Moi International Sports Centre in the suburb of Kasarani. The complex was completed in 1987, and was used to host the 1987 All Africa Games. The complex comprises a 60,000 seat stadium, the second largest in the African Great Lakes (after Tanzania's new national stadium), a 5,000 seat gymnasium, and a 2,000 seat aquatics center.

The Nyayo National Stadium is Nairobi's second largest stadium and is home to several federations. Completed in 1983, the stadium has a capacity of 30,000, an aquatic center with an Olympic-sized pool, an indoor gymnasium mostly used for Basketball matches, a running track, as well as a volleyball and handball training court. Nyayo National Stadium also hosts large gatherings such as national holiday celebrations, political events, concerts.

Nairobi City Stadium is Nairobi's first stadium, and used for club football.

Nairobi Gymkhana is the home of the Kenyan cricket team, and was a venue for the 2003 Cricket World Cup.

Talanta Sports Stadium, with a capacity of 60,000, is a modern, world-class facility constructed at Jamhuri Grounds in Nairobi to be completed in 2026. The stadium stands out for its sophisticated engineering and commitment to environmental sustainability. The exterior facade was inspired by the national emblem.

Football

Football is the most popular sport in the city by viewership and participation. This is highlighted by the number of football clubs in the city, including Kenyan Premier League sides Gor Mahia, A.F.C. Leopards Sports Club, Tusker F. C. and Mathare United.

Golf

There are several golf courses within a 20 km radius of Nairobi. The oldest 18-hole golf course in the city is the Royal Nairobi Golf Club. It was established in 1906 by the British, just seven years after the city was founded. Other notable golf clubs include the Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club, Karen Country Club, VetLab Sports Club, Golf Park Golf Club, Kenya Railways Golf Club, Sigona Golf Club and Muthaiga Golf Club.

Equestrian Sports

The Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi is the center of horse racing in Kenya.

The Kenya Open Polo tournament and other polo games are often hosted at the Nairobi Polo Club.

Rugby

Rugby is a popular sport in Nairobi with 8 of the 12 top flight clubs based in the city.

The Rugby Football Union of East Africa (RFUEA) is hosted in Nairobi.

Basketball

Basketball is a popular sport played in the city's primary, secondary and college leagues. Many of the city's urban youth are basketball fans and watch the American NBA.

Places of worship

Nairobi has numerous places of worship, particularly Christian churches and temples: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi (Catholic Church), Anglican Church of Kenya (Anglican Communion), Presbyterian Church of East Africa (World Communion of Reformed Churches), Baptist Convention of Kenya (Baptist World Alliance), and Assemblies of God. There are also Muslim mosques including Jamia Mosque.

Education

The majority of schools follow the Kenyan Competence Based Education (CBE).

The University of Nairobi

Nairobi is home to several Universities and Colleges, including the following:

• The University of Nairobi is the largest and oldest university in Kenya. It was established in 1956, as part of the University of East Africa, but became an independent university in 1970.
• Kenyatta University is situated 16 km (9.9 mi) from Nairobi on the Nairobi road Thika dual carriageway on 1,100 acres (450 ha) of land. The university was chartered in 1985, offering mainly education-related courses, but has since diversified, offering medicine, environmental studies, engineering, law, business, statistics, agriculture, and economics.
• Strathmore University started in 1961 as an Advanced Level (UK) Sixth Form College offering Science and Arts subjects. The college started to admit accountancy students in March 1966, and thus became a university. In January 1993, Strathmore College merged with Kianda College and moved to Ole Sangale Road, Madaraka Estate, Nairobi.
• United States International University – Nairobi was originally a branch of the United States International University, but became a fully autonomous university in 2005. It was first established in 1969. The university has accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, in the US, and the Government of Kenya. It is located in a quiet west side location of Roysambu area north-central Nairobi opposite the Safari Park Hotel.
• In 2005, The Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi was upgraded to a health sciences teaching hospital, providing post graduate education in medicine and surgery including nursing education, henceforth renamed the Aga Khan University Hospital.
• The Catholic University of Eastern Africa located in Lang'ata suburb, obtained its "Letter of Interim Authority" in 1989. Following negotiations between the Authority of the Graduate School of Theology and the Commission for Higher Education (CHIEA), the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences was established three years later, culminating in the granting of the Civil Charter to CHIEA on November 3, 1992.
• The Technical University of Kenya (formerly Kenya Polytechnic) is the only Technical University in the country. Established in 1961 as the Kenya Technical Institute, the university was chartered by Mwai Kibaki in 2013 to become an independent institution of higher learning (It was previously a constituent college of the University of Nairobi). It offers highly technical degree courses in three faculties: Engineering and Built Environment, Applied Sciences and Technologies, and Social Sciences and Technologies.
• KCA University (formerly the Kenya College of Accountancy), located in Ruaraka suburb of Nairobi.
• Pan African Christian University is located along Lumumba Drive in the Roysambu suburb of Nairobi.

Numerous other universities have opened satellite campuses in Nairobi. For example, the Railways Training Institute, established in 1956, is a notable institution of higher learning with a campus in Nairobi.

Infrastructure

Transport

Syokimau Railway Station

Major plans are being implemented in the need to decongest the city's traffic and the completion of Thika Road has given the city a much needed face-lift attributed to road's enhancement of global standards. Several projects have been completed, such as Syokimau Rail Station, the Eastern and Northern Bypasses, while numerous other projects are still underway.

The development of these critical transport facilities will, besides reducing transport costs due to faster movement of goods and people within the region, also increase trade, improve the socio-economic welfare of Northern Kenya, and boost the country's potential in attracting investments from all over the world.

Airports

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the largest airport in Kenya. Wilson Airport is a general-aviation airport handling smaller aircraft, mostly propeller-driven.

Moi Air Base is a military airport. In its earlier years, it was utilized as a landing strip in the pre-jet airline era. It was mostly used as a British passenger and mail route from Southampton to Cape Town in the 1930s and 1940s. This route was served by flying boats between Britain and Kisumu and then by land-based aircraft on the routes to the south.

Matatu

A matatu

Matatus are the most common form of public transport in Nairobi. Matatu translates literally to "three cents for a ride" (nowadays much more) and are privately owned minibuses used as share taxis. They generally seat 14 to 33 riders. Often decorated, many matatus feature portraits of famous people or slogans and sayings. Matatus operate within Nairobi, its environs and suburbs and from Nairobi to other towns around the country. Due to the intense competition between matatus, many are equipped with powerful sound systems and television screens to attract more customers.

Buses

Buses are increasingly becoming common in the city with some even going to the extents of installing complimentary WiFi systems in partnership with the leading mobile service provider.

Trains

Nairobi Terminus

Nairobi was founded as a railway town, and the main headquarters of Kenya Railways (KR) is still situated at Nairobi railway station, which is located near the city center. The line runs through Nairobi, from Mombasa to Kampala. Its main use is freight traffic connecting Nairobi to Mombasa and Kisumu. A number of morning and evening commuter trains connect the centre with the suburbs, but the city has no proper light rail, tramway, or rapid transit lines. A proposal has been passed for the construction of a commuter rail line.

In November 2012, President Mwai Kibaki launched the Syokimau Rail Service, marking a major milestone in the history of railway development in Kenya. The opening of the station marked another milestone in efforts to realise various projects envisaged under the Vision 2030 Economic Blueprint. The new station has a train that ferries passengers from Syokimau to the city center cutting travel time by half.

The opening of the station marks the completion of the first phase of the Sh24b Nairobi Commuter Rail Network that is geared at easing traffic congestion in Nairobi, blamed for huge economic losses. Other modern stations include Imara Daima Railway Station and Makadara Railway Station.

The new Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway connects the port city of Mombasa and Nairobi. The new railway line has virtually replaced the old meter-gauge railway. The Nairobi Terminus is located at Syokimau, some 20 km from the city center. Passengers travelling from Mombasa are transferred the short distance into the CBD with the meter-gauge trains.

Roads

Two trans-African automobile routes pass through Nairobi: the Cairo-Cape Town Highway and the Lagos-Mombasa Highway. Nairobi is served by highways that link Mombasa to Kampala in Uganda and Arusha in Tanzania. These are earmarked to ease the daily motor traffic within and surrounding the metro area. However, driving in Nairobi is chaotic.

Nairobi is connected to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by the Mombasa Highway, which passes through Industrial Area, South B, South C and Embakasi. Highways connect the city with other major towns such as Mombasa, Machakos, Voi, (A109), Eldoret, Kisumu, Nakuru, Naivasha, and Namanga Border Tanzania (A104).

Nairobi is undergoing major road constructions to update its infrastructure network. The new system of roads, flyovers, and bridges are intended to better cope with high traffic levels. It is also a major component of Kenya's Vision 2030 and Nairobi Metropolis plans. Most roads now are well lit and surfaced with adequate signage.

In 2020, the construction of The Nairobi Expressway began. The Nairobi expressway is a 27 km toll road connecting the Eastern Nairobi neighborhood of Mulolongo to the uptown neighborhood of Westlands at James Gichuru junction through Nairobi CBD. The road is directly to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport enabling travelers to access the airport faster avoiding the heavy traffic on Mombasa Road and Waiyaki Way. The work involved expansion of the existing road to four-lanes one-way, (8 lanes total), with foot paths, drainage channels, overpass bridges and street lighting. It was opened to the public in May 2022.

Water supply

Most of the piped water supply for Nairobi comes from rivers and reservoirs in the Aberdare Range north of the city, of which the reservoir of the Thika Dam is the most important. Slum residents receive water through water kiosks and end up paying much higher water prices than those fortunate enough to have access to piped water at their residence.

Housing

There is a wide variety of housing options in Nairobi. The options range from privately owned housing units/apartments, rented units, leased spaces, and even houses on mortgage. Most wealthy Kenyans live in Nairobi, but the majority of Nairobians are of average and low income. Half of the population has been estimated to live in slums which cover just 5 percent of the city area. The growth of these slums can be traced to urbanization, poor town planning, lack of good governance and proper leadership in these settlements, and lack of empowerment and social capital among other factors.

A view of Kibera, Nairobi

Kibera is one of the largest slums in Africa and is situated to the west of Nairobi. (Kibera comes from the Nubian word Kibra, meaning "forest" or "jungle"). The slums cover two square kilometers and are on government land.

Many Nairobi non-slum-dwellers live in relatively good housing conditions. Large houses can be found in many of the upmarket neighborhoods, especially to the west of Nairobi. Middle and high income estates include Gigiri, Muthaiga, Langata and Karen. Other middle and high income estates include Parklands, Westlands, Hurlingham, Kilimani, Milimani, Spring Valley, Lavington, Rosslyn, Kitisuru, and Nairobi Hill. To accommodate the growing middle class, many new apartments and housing developments are being built in and around the city.

Media

Nairobi is home to most of Kenya's news and media organizations. The city is also home to the region's largest newspapers: the Daily Nation and The Standard. These are circulated within Kenya and cover a range of domestic and regional issues. Both newspapers are published in English. People Daily is also the leading free newspaper distributed on the streets of Nairobi. It is published by Mediamax Limited.

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, a state-run television and radio station, is headquartered in the city. Kenya Television Network is part of the Standard Group and was Kenya's first privately owned TV station. The Nation Media Group runs NTV which is based in Nairobi, The Royal Media Services (RMS). There are also a number of prominent radio stations located in Kenya's capital including Citizen radio, Inooro fm, KISS 100, Capital FM, East FM, Kameme FM, Metro FM, and Family FM, among others.

Several multinational media organizations have their regional headquarters in Nairobi. These include the BBC, CNN, Agence France-Presse, Reuters, Deutsche Welle, and the Associated Press. The East African bureau of CNBC Africa is located in Nairobi's city centre, while the Nairobi bureau of The New York Times is located in the suburb of Gigiri. The broadcast headquarters of CCTV Africa are located in Nairobi.

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Aiyar, Sana. Indians in Kenya: The Politics of Diaspora. Harvard University Press, 2015. ISBN 978-0674289888
• Cybriwsky, Roman Adrian. Capital Cities around the World: An Encyclopedia of Geography, History, and Culture. ABC-CLIO, 2013. ISBN 1610692470
• Deisser, Anne-Marie, and Mugwima Njuguna (eds.). Conservation of Natural and Cultural Heritage in Kenya. UCL Press, 2016. ISBN 978-1910634820
• Dutton, E.A.T. Kenya Mountain. Jonathan Cape, 1929. ASIN B00086UAV0
• Elkins, Caroline. Britain's Gulag: The Brutal End of Empire in Kenya. Vintage, 2025. ISBN 978-1529946185
• Freeman, Donald B. A City of Farmers: Informal Urban Agriculture in the Open Spaces of Nairobi, Kenya. Carleton University Press, 1991. ISBN 978-0773508224
• Greenway, Roger S., and Timothy M. Monsma. Cities: Missions' New Frontier. Baker Academic, 2000. ISBN 978-0801022302
• Landy, Frédéric. From Urban National Parks to Natured Cities in the Global South: The Quest for Naturbanity. Springer, 2018. ISBN 9811084610
• Melton, J. Gordon, and Martin Baumann. Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices. ABC-CLIO, 2002., ISBN 978-1576072233
• Mutongi, Kenda. Matatu: A History of Popular Transportation in Nairobi. University of Chicago Press, 2017. ISBN 978-0226130866
• Myers, Garth Andrew. Verandahs of Power: Colonialism and Space in Urban Africa. Syracuse University Press, 2003. ISBN 978-0815629979
• Robertson, Claire C. Trouble Showed the Way: Women, Men, and Trade in the Nairobi Area, 1890–1990. Indiana University Press, 1997. ISBN 978-0253211514

External links

All links retrieved April 17, 2026.

• Nairobi Lonely Planet
• Nairobi State Magazine
• Nairobi Brilliant Africa
• Nairobi National Park Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)
• Nairobi National Museum National Museums of Kenya
• Nairobi Unequal Scenes

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