Nairobi City Kenya
Nairobi city , the largest city in Kenya and the primary capital of the Republic of Kenya, was named after the Maasai term “Enkare Nyrobi,” which also means “cool water.” Nairobi County is made up of the city and its environs. There were 9,354,580 people living in the metropolitan area as of the 2019 census, out of a total population of 4,397,073. Nairobi is frequently referred to as the “Green city” in popular culture. “Swahili” is the language that is spoken most frequently and is taught in schools. Nairobi is home to a large number of businesses, including more than 100 significant international corporations and several government and non-government organizations. The city is fortunate to have two major airports, a standard gauge railway line that runs from Nairobi to Mombasa in a short amount of time, just the right amount of skyscrapers, well-built super roads, and a national park inside the city. Nairobi has become one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world as a result. The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), located in Nairobi City, is the second-oldest and one of the biggest exchanges in Africa. With 10 million trades per day, it is the fourth-largest exchange in Africa in terms of trading volume. Nairobi is therefore one of the most talked-about cities in Africa and East Africa.
Nairobi City’s transformation from a Township to a City
Nairobi used to be a marshy region with little chance of ever being inundated with buildings like it is now. Nairobi became a key location for camp setup between Kampala and Mombasa with the arrival of railway plans connecting Uganda, Nairobi, and Mombasa. After learning of an excellent network of rivers that would supply water to their camp, the British in control in 1899 saw this as a fantastic opportunity. They also thought it would be a suitable location for both British and Indian laborers to live.
Under rules that were issued on April 16, 1900, Nairobi initially expanded into a township (Township of Nairobi). The master minder was Sir Harding Arthur. The Township of Nairobi was the name of the city’s original incorporation in 1900. Under the authority granted to Sir Arthur Hardinge, the regulations controlling it were established on April 16, 1900. The guidelines described the Nairobi township as “the region encompassed within a radius of one-mile-and-a-half from the present office of H.M. Sub-Commissioner in Ukamba” and gave the Sub-Commissioner permission to propose several of the most prominent locals or businesspeople each year to collaborate with him as a Committee.
Nairobi’s expansion was guaranteed when the Nairobi Club was established in 1901 and Roman Catholics began constructing churches and schools away from the railroad. In December 1901, the governing committee established new bylaws. The new laws that had to be approved dealt with maintaining the Township’s good order and public health as well as setting penalties for violations of those laws.
When the concept of using railroads for both import and export of machinery and product gained traction in 1903, the British intended to establish long-term markets in South Africa. Nairobi was developing slowly as people began to arrive at Mombasa and relocate to the city. The British had constructed a town hall the year before.
Nairobi became the capital of the British protectorate in 1905, taking Mombasa’s place. The city’s economy revolved around tourism and government, first with big game hunting. Nairobi became the British occupants’ first port of call as they began to explore the area. They were urged to move to the nation, and Nairobi’s temperate climate and rich soils made it an obvious choice for them. British officials had high hopes that the Settlers would create a contemporary economic sector. The Nairobi Township community officially changed its name to Nairobi Municipal Council in 1919. Its boundaries were expanded to encompass the neighboring semi-urban villages. In July 1920, it was suggested that the chief of Nairobi, the protectorate’s capital, be given a more distinguished title. The boundaries was once more expanded in 1927 to encompass 30 square miles. It was proposed that I use the title Mayor. Official application of the title was not made until 1923.
Nairobi was established and organized in 1907 to take Mombasa’s place as the capital while the British were still in charge. Nairobi, which is located in the southern region of the country and is situated on the River Athi, was designated as the capital city of the Republic of Kenya upon the country’s independence in 1963. However, during Kenya’s colonial era, Nairobi developed into a hub for the coffee, tea, and sisal industries.
PARTITION POLITIQUE
Nairobi is governed by a comprehensive county plan. Compared to other Kenyan counties, Nairobi County is more urbanized. The majority of departmental operations inside the county are managed by the Nairobi City Council, which is the sole council in existence. Nairobi County was renamed a county in 2010 following a constitutional revision. Nairobi County was divided into districts in 2007 and three districts were formed.
Nairobi County is organized into constituencies, which are distinct from division names. For instance, Starehe Constituency is comparable to Central Division and is led by a separate leader.
Nairobi is further divided into wards (85) and constituencies (17), of which 48 are called after residential estates. For instance, the Karen and Lang’ata estates are included in the Kibera division, which is the largest slum area in Africa.
Examples of constitutions include Kasarani, Langata, Kibra, Dagoretti South and North, and numerous others.
The economy of Nairobi
Because it is home to the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), one of the biggest stock exchanges in Africa, Nairobi has great recognition in the exchange industry. The London Stock Exchange gave the Nairobi Securities Exchange great recognition as an international stock exchange in 1953. In terms of market capitalization as a percentage of GDP, it is the fifth largest market in Africa and ranks fourth in terms of trading volumes.
Nairobi’s title also makes it recognized as the regional headquarters of a number of multinational corporations and organizations. The establishment of corporations and organizations including as General Electric, Google, IBM Services, Coca-Cola, and Young & Rubicam in 2007 contributed to Nairobi’s global notoriety.
The UN Environment and UN-Habitat headquarters are anchored by the UN offices located in Nairobi City. Nairobi is home to the largest company in Kenya in terms of assets and profitability, Safaricom; KenGen, the largest African stock outside of South Africa; and Kenyan Airways, the continent’s fourth-biggest airline, whose main hub is the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Nairobi is also fortunate to host FinTech events that are well-known worldwide. Numerous businesses have emerged, such as Craft Silicon, Kangai Technologies, and Jambo Pay, which have led the city’s technological advancements. Numerous innovations and computing services have also emerged, enabling their products to be used across the significant market share that exists in Kenya and elsewhere.
Nairobi is the manufacturing hub for a number of goods, including beverages, processed foods, building materials, textiles, and cigarettes. Nairobi is also home to a number of international corporations, such as Toyota Motors, Goodyear, General Motors, and Coca-Cola.
Nairobi is a city that has been endowed with tourism. For instance, the Nairobi National Park, which is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service, has become a popular tourist destination and a transportation hub. Uhuru Park, a man-made park in the city center, features a man-made lake and serves as a gathering place for locals.
Aside from Nairobi City Center, there are business districts that are home to a concentration of companies that have aided in the growth of Nairobi. For instance, Upper Hill, which is 4 kilometers outside the central business district, has witnessed the expansion of businesses such as Citibank in 2007 and Coca-Cola, which has its East and Central offices there. Nairobi’s Upper Hill is thought to be the greatest area for office space. The UAP Tower, located in Upper Hill, was constructed in 2015 and was inaugurated on July 4, 2016. The World Bank and International Finance Cooperation, which are both a part of the World Bank Group, are housed in towers that rise to a height of 163 meters and have 33 stories. In the city center, other business parks have been constructed, including the flagship Nairobi Business Park.
Nairobi is currently the site of numerous building and real estate development projects. The republic of Kenya’s capital city is developing at a rapid pace, with skyscrapers and real estate projects experiencing a recent boom in building. These include the 314-meter-tall Pinnacle twin buildings, the 200-meter-tall Britam Tower, the headquarters of Avic International Africa, the 140-meter-tall Prism towers, the Pan Africa Insurance Tower, the Pallazzo offices, and numerous other projects.
Nairobi is home to a number of retail malls, several of which are still under construction. These include Thika Greens, Karen waterfront, Centum’s Two Rivers Mall, Garden City Mall, and the freshly renovated Westgate Mall.
Avic International is also building a total of four residential apartments on Waiyaki Way: a 28-level tower, two 24-level towers, and a 25-level tower. Stylish residential apartments have already been built, and more are currently being built. One such example is the Le Mac Tower, a residential tower in the Westlands with 23 floors. In the city, hotel towers are also being built. In the Westlands, Avic International is building a 141-meter-tall, 30-story hotel tower.
NAIROBI’S CULTURE
By the 20th century, a large number of foreigners had made Nairobi their permanent home. These included merchants from Gujarat, communities from South Sudan, workers from the Kampala-Mombasa railway, and even neighbors from Somalia. Nairobi is home to the Kenya National Archives, which are located in the city’s downtown, and the Kenya National Theatre. Nairobi is known as the “Safari Capital of the World” because of its popularity as a hub for safari tourism, but it is also known as “The Green City in the Sun” because of its lush vegetation and warm climate. Other art galleries in Nairobi include the Kuona Art Center for Visual Artists in Nairobi, the Nairobi National Museum, and the Rahimtulla Museum of Modern Art (Ramoma).
FILM SECTOR AND LITERATURE
Nairobi is fortunate to have produced some internationally recognized actors and actresses, making it one of Africa’s most skilled acting nations. A large number of novelists have also come out of the metropolis of Swahili speakers.
The Movie in Nairobi
Kenya produced two outstanding writers during the post-colonial era: Ngugi wa Thiongo and Meja Mwangi. They were both Nairobi residents, and Kenyan publishing businesses produced these as well. Numerous artists from Kenya practice from all throughout the country.
Kenya’s film industry continues to expand, albeit slowly. However, individuals such as producer Njeri Karago and director Judy Kibinge are setting the path for others. The most well-known novel was written by Karen Blixen, who went by Isak Dinesen when writing about her experiences living in Kenya. It was called for the woman who resided there, Karen, as it is now. Sydney Pollack directed the 1985 adaptation of Out of Africa, which went on to win over 28 prizes, including seven Academy prizes. The Karen Blixen museum opened in Nairobi as a result of the film’s popularity.
Nairobi has served as the backdrop for several American and British films, including the 2005 film The Constant Gardener, which had a significant amount of filming in the city. It is also the scene for the novels written by Ngugi Wa Thiong’o, Kenya’s most famous author. Actors from Kenya are currently becoming well-known in Hollywood; Lupita Nyong’o is one example. who, at the 86th Academy Awards in the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, was awarded an Oscar for best performing actress for her role as the patsy in the movie 12 Years a Slave. She is the daughter of Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, a politician from Kenya. This has led to a rise in the number of movie theaters in Nairobi’s downtown. In 2017, the female lead character of the well-known Spanish television series Money Heist adopted the code name “Nairobi.”
The transportation sector of Nairobi.
Kenya is well-organized in terms of transportation; numerous outlets connecting other constituencies have been established from the city center, utilizing every opportunity to relieve traffic. Super roads, such as the newest Thika Road Highway, Mombasa Highway, and the finished projects of byapasses in the Northern and Eastern regions, have been constructed to relieve traffic congestion in the city center. These have made traveling to and from the city core easier. With the completion of the Syokimau rail station, transportation in the city center is now easier. When the Yokimau rail line opened, the nation’s head of state declared that Kenya would work with neighboring nations to build railway infrastructure in order to enhance regional connectivity. This initiative was part of the ambitious LAPPSET project, which is the biggest and most costly in the continent. Additionally, Kenya and Uganda reached a deal to support the cooperative construction of the Mombasa, Malaba, and Kampala standard gauge railway, which will be expanded as a branch to Kisuymu. Additionally, a memorandum of understanding for the construction of the Lamu-Addis Ababa standard gauge railway was signed by the Kenyan and Ethiopian governments. In addition to lowering transport costs as a result of quicker movement of people and goods within the region, the development of these vital transportation infrastructure will promote trade, enhance Northern Kenya’s socioeconomic welfare, and increase the nation’s appeal to foreign investors.
Nairobi’s airports
Kenya is connected to the outside world by two significant international airports in Nairobi. Wilson Airport and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport are two of them.
Of all the airports in Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the biggest and busiest. By 2016, domestic travelers accounted for up to 40% of all passengers there. In the five years from 2012, it has risen to 32%. By 2016, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport handled over 7 million passenger passes. The FAA awarded JKIA category one classification in 2017, elevating the airport’s standing as a regional aviation hub. The Mombasa super highway makes it simple to reach the JKIA from the town center as well.
The general aviation airport that handles smaller aircraft arriving and departing from Kenya is Wilson Airport. Among Kenya’s many airports is East Leigh Airport, a military installation that was once utilized as a landing strip for jet planes. In addition to being a major route from Southampton to Capetown in the 1930s and 1940s, it was mostly used by British passengers.
Using the Matatu for transportation
Nairobi’s primary public transportation option is the matatu, which translates to “three cents” in the world. Local transportation is provided by these privately owned minibuses. Others have SACCOS registrations. Depending on the type of omnibus, there are 14 to 24 seats available in the basic configuration. The matatus run in Nairobi, providing passenger transportation between various Nairobi neighborhoods. The matatus have a unique number that indicates the precise stage at which it will halt. The matatus previously featured a yellow stripe on the side of the bus, but in 2014, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta removed the prohibition on the yellow stripe and permitted the matatus to keep its vibrant graphics in order to provide young people access to design jobs. The artwork inside and outside give these matatus a very lovely appearance. They have a variety of embellishments on them, such as football teams, presidents, favorite rappers or artists, animals, actors, and even insects. They are infamous for having bad driving records brought on by excessive crowding, excessive speeding, and careless driving. The teams that run the matatus are easily identifiable thanks to their IDs and uniforms. It is the policy of the matatus’ conductors to collect fare either prior to or during the voyage. Due to intense competition, the mataus have adopted strategies to draw in customers. Some of these strategies include large screens and loud speakers that can play music; others play movie trailers; still others play highlights from soccer matches; in fact, a passenger may pass by his stopover point without noticing it.
Buses are Nairobi’s primary mode of transportation.
In Nairobi, buses are now quite common, but they can only be recognized by their staging areas. Many of them have added wifi and TVs to draw customers. Examples of these bus companies are Embassava SACCO, Kenya Bus Service (KBS), and the new private operator Citi Hoppa. The KBS buses are blue, while the double M buses are purple. Some bus companies, such as Easy Coach, Guardian Angel, Mash Poa, Luxury coaches, Dreamliner, Spanish coaches, Simba coach, Modern Coast, and others, offer longer routes, such as those to Uganda, Mombasa, and Kisumu. Their boarding offices are dispersed around the city center.
Trains as a mode of transportation
Nairobi’s current form can be attributed to the railway line connecting Uganda, Kenya, and Mombasa, as well as the headquarters of modern art located in Nairobi close to the city center. Nairobi is on the railway route that runs between Mombasa, Nairobi, and Uganda. It connects Nairobi to Mobasa and Kisumu via freight transportation. Although there are no official light rail, tramway, or rapid transport lines in the Center, there are several morning and evening commuter trains that connect it to Surbabs. The journey time has been reduced by half thanks to the new station’s train that transports people from the main stage at Yokimau to the city center. While the new Mombasa-Nairobi railway links Nairobi with the port city of Mobasa, there are other train stations in Nairobi, such as the Imara Daima Railway Station and Makadara.
Nairobi’s road transportation system
Kenya’s road transportation system is well-planned and coordinated. Numerous roadways branch off of the city center and link other counties and constituencies. The Uhuru Highway connects Forest Road, which was intended to be an extension of the Thika Superhighway. The Mombasa Highway connects Nairobi to Mombasa; other routes link Nairobi to Uganda and Arusha, Tanzania. The markings on the roadways make it easier for drivers to navigate. However, because traffic in Nairobi is so chaotic, drivers must exercise extreme caution and make quick decisions when operating a vehicle on public roads. Different paths are indicated by markings on the roads.
The Mombasa Super Highway, which runs through South B, Embakasi, and the Industrial Area, connects the city to the JKIA. The Waiyaki highway connects Westlands, Riverside, and Lovington; the Thika highway connects Kasarani, Eastlands, Jogoo Road, Outer Ring Road, and Embakasi. The city center connects Ongata, Rongai, and Karen and runs through the south. On the other hand, bridges and flyovers are being built to help ease traffic in the city center.
Nairobi’s entertainment sector
Kenya is endowed with talent that has been showcased in acting, music, and athletics outside of the country.
Kenya is currently producing a lot of talented athletes for the outside world, and their music is also becoming popular abroad.
Athletics
Kenya is renowned across the world for its achievements in rugby and athletics. It has won multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals in international contests for rugby, and it is recognized as the sporting hub of the Great Lakes region of Africa. Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Center in Kasarani is the city’s top sporting venue. After Tanzania’s new National stadium, the sports complex, which was finished in 1987, played host to the 1987 All Africa Games. With a 60,000-seat stadium and a 2,000-seat aquatics center, it is the second largest in the Great Lakes region of Africa. Situated in the heart of Nyayo’s city center, Nyayo Stadium is the second largest in the nation. It was completed in 1983 and held international rugby competitions under the Safaricom Sevens banner. The Kenyan Premier League and the national team both mostly use it for soccer. Nyayo Stadium can accommodate 30,000 spectators. furthermore a major hub for political events
Nairobi’s musical scene
Kenya’s major music hub is Nairobi. The most popular genre created there is called “Benga,” which is a jazz and Luo fusion. Another popular genre in Kenya is mutithi, which originated in the country’s center. Kenya is home to numerous great musicians who maintain studios, and Nairobi’s city center serves as the hub for most major music events. Nairobi gained notoriety throughout the continent in the 1970s as a center for soukous music, which had originated in Kinshasa and Brazzaville. Numerous Congolese musicians moved to Nairobi, including Orchestra Super Mazembe, who achieved great success there. Virgin Records recognized the genre’s potential and signed recording deals with a number of soukous musicians. Nairobi has developed into a major hub for Kenyan hip-hop, comparable to the gIdi gidi maji maji.
Today, Jua Cali, Redsan, Grandpa Records, Ogopa Djs, Nyashinski, Sauti soul, Jaguar, and many more are among the most successful acts in Nairobi. In Kenya, Jaguar is currently a well-known politician. Numerous international performers have given large-scale performances in Kenya. Morgan Heritage, Konshens, Alaine, Jarule, Sean Paul, Shaggy, and numerous others are among them. Through partnerships, this has aided in the growth of Kenyan music.
The Nairobi City Education System
Most of the nation’s prominent universities have their headquarters in Nairobi. The majority of Nairobi’s schools either use the British or Kenyan curricula. In addition, there is the Swedish school in N’gong, the Germany school in Gigiri, and the International School of Kenya and Rosslyn, which uses the North American Curriculum. The majority of education in the city center is university-level. The largest and oldest university in Kenya, University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, located along Thika Road, Strathnore University, a sixth-form college offering science and arts subjects, located along Ole Sangale Road, Madaraka Estate in Nairobi, The United States University, located west of the Roysambu area in North Central Nairobi, Agha Khan University Hospital, Catholic University of East Africa, and KCA University (formerly known as Kenyan College of Accountancy), located in Ruaraka are just a few of the universities in the city center. Because of the diverse student bodies these universities have drawn from throughout the continent, Nairobi has become a very popular city.
EATING OUT AND HOUSING IN THE NAROBI CITY AREA
Nairobi is fortunate to have a wonderful selection of restaurants and hotels right in the heart of the city. Ole Sereni Hotel, Ibis styles Nairobi Westlands, Raddison Blue Hotel Nairobi, Vila Rossa Kempiski, Sankara Nairobi, Hillpark Hotel, and numerous others are among them. Nairobi City Center is home to a wide variety of eateries and retail establishments, such as cjs, KFC, Javas, Thai Chi Restaurant, Talisman Restaurant, Pizza Hut, Subway, Galittos, Nairobi Java House, and many more. The Kenchic franchise, which specialized in classic chicken and chips dishes, was also well-liked, especially by the lower classes and students, and had locations throughout the city and its surrounding villages. Elegant eateries typically focus on particular culinary styles, like French, Italian, Lebanese, Ethiopian, or Spanish, and are primarily located in affluent neighborhoods in the city’s west and south as well as five-star hotels. Nairobi hosts an annual restaurant week (NRW) in January and February. Restaurants in Nairobi provide discounted meal packages. NRW is run by Eatout Kenya, an online restaurant directory and review site that also offers a social media hub for Kenyan food enthusiasts.
WORSHIP AND RELIGION
Nairobi is home to numerous houses of worship for various religions. There are many well-known churches and temples in the city. Among the various religions are Catholics, Anglicans, and Muslims. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi (Catholic Church), the Anglican Church of Kenya (Anglican Communion), the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (World Communion of Reformed Churches), the Baptist Convention of Kenya (Baptist World Alliance), and the Assemblies of God are among the churches that have been erected. Muslim mosques exist as well, such as Jamia Mosque.
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Nairobi is home to a number of well-known athletes, including: Victor Wanyama, who traded his talent to the Tottenham Hotspurs; David Rudisha, the greatest 800-meter race winner of all time; Denis Oliech, the greatest Kenyan striker of all time; Ezekeil Akomebi, the greatest steeple chase winner; Shekhar Mehta, the greatest Kenyan rally driver of all time; and Henry Rono, the multiple world record holder.
Nairobi, the largest city in Kenya and the primary capital of the Republic of Kenya, was named after the Maasai term “Enkare Nyrobi,” which also means “cool water.” Nairobi County is made up of the city and its environs. There were 9,354,580 people living in the metropolitan area as of the 2019 census, out of a total population of 4,397,073. Nairobi is frequently referred to as the “Green city” in popular culture. “Swahili” is the language that is spoken most frequently and is taught in schools. Nairobi is home to a large number of businesses, including more than 100 significant international corporations and several government and non-government organizations. The city is fortunate to have two major airports, a standard gauge railway line that runs from Nairobi to Mombasa in a short amount of time, just the right amount of skyscrapers, well-built super roads, and a national park inside the city. Nairobi has become one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world as a result. The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), located in Nairobi City, is the second-oldest and one of the biggest exchanges in Africa. With 10 million trades per day, it is the fourth-largest exchange in Africa in terms of trading volume. Nairobi is therefore one of the most talked-about cities in Africa and East Africa.
