Nairobi is not only the capital of Kenya, but also is its administrative, cultural, and economic center. It is the largest city with a population of more than 4 million people.
The city is renowned for its attractions and its nightlife, all in an affordable way.
The city was a British provincial capital from 1899 to 1905. It was actually founded as a British railroad camp on the Mombasa to Uganda railway route.
Later, it was known as the capital of the British East Africa Protectorate, which was called Kenya Colony, from 1920 to 1963. The city was announced as the capital of independent Kenya in 1963.
Nairobi was once a huge swamp called e nai’robe – the place of cool water, by the Masaai! Probably, this and the Nairobi River gives the city its name. The skyscrapers and the huge metropolitan city have been developed over the time.
Not only is the city one of the few cities with a national park, but it is the only capital city with a park in the world. The Nairobi National Park with its abundant wildlife is complemented with the backdrop of the city’s silhouette.
Nairobi is spared from the extreme hot temperatures found in other African countries because of its location. It is located a few degrees south of the equator which is why it has mild climate year-round.
The city boasts of traditional Maasai artifacts markets every day of the week, the highest in the whole country. Weekend markets at the High Court Parking lot attract most crowds.
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The city has the highest available retail space in malls across Africa. TRM-Thika Road Mall, Garden City Mall, and The Hub Karen are a few of the famous malls here.
The city is the headquarters of multinational brands and a few missions like the United Nations Environment Programme.
The city is best explored in Matatus, which is slang for mini buses that are the best public transport here. Matatus boast of beautiful and colorful Graffiti.
Apart from the high-profile part of the city, Nairobi is home to one of the largest and poorest slums in Africa – Kibera. Mathare is another large slum in the city.
The Nairobi Stock Exchange is one of the largest and oldest exchanges in Africa.
The Solar Ice Rink at the Panari Hotel is Africa’s largest ice rink. It covers an area of 1,400 square metres and can accommodate 200 people.