Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya. It is known as the “Green City in the Sun,”. It is one of the most fascinating cities in Africa with most beautiful destination where people come to visit to get experience out of it.
The town houses on of the best serene green parks, modern facilities such as hotels, restaurants and lodges. The population of the people in Nairobi keeps on rising, with most of the businesses taking place within the town. This presents a good opportunity for growth and development in the coming years.
This blog post will explore 10 interesting facts about Nairobi that showcase why it stands as one of the greatest in Africa.
1. Nairobi Is the Only Capital City with a National Park
Nairobi is known for being the only city with a park, known as Nairobi National Park. It is located just a short drive from town. Most the visitors who come to Nairobi have a good knowledge about the city and thus they come to the park to experience the beauty of the wildlife.
The park is protected in an area where it serves as a home of wild animals such as the lions, zebras, and the giraffes. There are also more than 400 bird species in the park. The park has the city’s skyline in the background where the visitors have a good view of the buildings in the Town. It is a good spot for the taking photos of the animals while on a game drive.
The proximity of the park to the CBD gives an advantage in that the visitors can access the area without much traveling. Both locals and tourists are allowed t enjoy the game drives, bird watching and also nature walks.
2. Nairobi was Founded as a Railway Stop
Nairobi town was established in 1899 during the colonial times as a supply depot for the Uganda railway. As the years went by the town later transformed a lot as a result of growth and development that was taking place. By around 1907, Nairobi had transformed into a bigger commercial and administrative center.
This rapid growth later replaced Mombasa as the capital of the British East Africa Protectorate. Other than that, the town got a huge boost on development with good roads being established, high end residential homes which invited people from many areas, the hotels and also offices.
Businesses were established along the famous streets of Nairobi which now contribute to the economy of Kenya. Vendors and business individuals rent the shops near the busy streets of Nairobi where they make a living.
3. Nairobi is a Tech Hub of Africa
With most developments in industries and companies, Nairobi’s rise in tech didn’t happen by any mistake. The innovation is catalyzed by many factors including the relatively high internet connectivity and mobile penetration.
In a setup where entrepreneurs are involved, there is technology system that is used to run most of the tasks. For example, in 2007, some revolutionary happened that changed the lives of people up to now Mpesa was developed by Vodafone and Safaricom as a mobile transfer system. The system allows users to send and receive money wirelessly.
The Fintech companies in Nairobi has fueled the development of apps that provide online solutions for example buying services and bookings.
International tech companies’ haves established some of their branches in Nairobi where they invest in talent, run training programs and also collaborate with local developers to bring better solutions to the people. These companies include Google, IBM, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Intel.
4. Home to the Largest Slum in Africa
Nairobi has one of the most famous informal settlements in Africa called Kibera. It is the largest slum in Africa, with vibrant, complex and a population full of survival and hope. Kibera is usually overcrowded with people, businesses and the small houses. The families face challenges including limited access to water, unemployment and also poverty.
Small business thrives well here specially on food sectors. Since there are many people in this area, many opt to but the street foods including chapati, beans, steamed maize and Mutura. Fruit vendors also have a market in this area with fruits such as avocado, water melons and oranges being the most sold.
The slum has been seen some growth in the recent past with security improving and small businesses thriving. It has been the subject to many documentaries. With the focus being around the life, poverty, foods and local voices of the people.
The future of this slum is promised with NGO-partnered initiatives aimed to improve the housing, sanitation programs and the overall infrastructure.
5. Nairobi is an International Diplomatic Hub
With modern and developed offices, Nairobi hosts the most important diplomatic centers. One of the major UN headquarters in world is located in Nairobi as the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON). Other include the Vienna, Geneva and New York. This international diplomat helps the city placed higher in a diplomatic map.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international organization including the World bank, Red Cross and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are located within Nairobi. The sectors can work with the Kenyan government in provision of educational aid and economic development.
All these organizations are capable of hosting conferences, summits and diplomatic missions increasing the chances of improving infrastructure, political stability and strategic planning in association with the government.
6. Famously Known for the Matatu Culture
Matatus in Nairobi is something else. The city has a matatu culture that has been embraced in the last 15 years or so. This privately owned PSV vehicles are popularly known for insane investments such as the music, art and the customizations.
Most of the art being used on this car relate to something that happed in the past or the image of the popular people either the artists or movie stars. Some of the matatus are fitted with WIFI, LED lights, and plasma screens. The appearance of this matatu is very appealing attracting people to love and appreciate the culture.
The matatu culture in Kenya keeps on growing with various routes within Nairobi such as Rongai, Embakasi, Dandora, and Ngong hopping in for the challenge. This has led to the development of international documentaries and art exhibitions in which matatus are being awarded.
7. Is the Largest Urban Center in East Africa
Nairobi is reported as the largest urban center in Africa with approximately 4.5 million people. The number is in a constant increase in the recent past as the city is being developed and more and more people are moving in.
This growth has highly contributed to the economy of the country and this is why. The Jomo Kenyatta international Airport (JKIA) links countries such as, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and South Sudan. The airport is one of the busiest in Africa receiving most travelers. The income generated here is a lot and therefore aids in the economy growth of the country.
Other transportation cost such as the newly developed modern Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) that connects Nairobi to the port city of Mombasa. These transportation ways help bring different kinds of people to Nairobi and hence many international populations.
8. Has one of the Best Night Life
At night, Nairobi is lively with clubs, lounges, bars and live music venues. It is safe to say Nairobi does not sleep. Areas such as Wetlands, Kilimani and Ngong have the best nightlife hotspots in Nairobi.
Ngong features cool lounges and roadside grills which invite people from many places from nearby towns in Nairobi. They serve one of the best Nyama choma, beer and a lively music arena where visitors get to enjoy fully.
Nairobi also has Alchemist, J’s Fresh Bar & Kitchen, and Geco Café who regularly host live bands in open nights, comedy shows, and DJ sets. People come together to enjoy by dancing and celebrating both local and international music. They support the local talents as they their usual business.
9. Nairobi has Diverse Wildlife Sanctuaries Within the City
Nairobi is one of the few cities in the world with several unique sanctuaries and conservation centers distributed within the town. They protect the endangered species and promote the wildlife care and education.
Some of the most know destinations include the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (also known as the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust or SWT), a famous elephant orphanage rescues in Kenya and The Giraffe Center located in Lang’ata, a statuary for the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe.
They are located within Nairobi and hence easy to access the destinations without much struggle and spending much. Both local and foreign visitors get welcomed at a small fee and get to see the giraffes and the elephants.
10. Nairobi is Home to more than 40 Ethnic Groups from across Kenya
The city is richly mixed with more than 40 tribes from Kenya as well as immigrants and refugees from all over Africa. The tribes not only live within the city but also promote the growth of businesses. This is evidenced by the local Kenyan dishes being served like, ugali, sukuma, and nyama choma.
The mix of such tribes has led to the development of Sheng, a locally used language that blends a mix of Swahili, English, and some local languages. They are used especially by the youths to pass information and get communicate better.
Along the streets you can see various businesses owed by the Maasai, they promote their culture by selling Western streetwear, African prints and Maasai beadwork.
Conclusion
Nairobi is a city of fascinating facts that makes Nairobi one of the best cities in Africa. With a blend of Technology, innovation and the Wildlife you can never miss something interesting about the city. The above 10 interesting facts about Nairobi will help you learn about the city and have a better idea of it.
