Nairobi
City guide · Kenya
the capital and largest city of Kenya, located in the south-central part of the country
About Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya, located in the south-central part of the country. Nicknamed the 'Green City under the Sun,' it is uniquely notable for being the only capital city in the world that hosts a national park within its boundaries, Nairobi National Park. The city's name originates from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, meaning 'place of cool waters.' As the national capital, Nairobi is home to the Kenyan Parliament Buildings, the State House, and the Supreme Court Building. It serves as the major financial and economic hub of East Africa, hosting thousands of Kenyan businesses and international organizations, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) and the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON). The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) is one of the largest stock exchanges in Africa. Founded in 1898 as a rail depot on the Uganda–Kenya Railway, Nairobi quickly grew to replace Mombasa as Kenya's capital in 1907 and became the capital of the Republic of Kenya after independence in 1963.
Who this destination fits
Strong fit
- Only capital city in the world with a national park within its boundaries (Nairobi National Park)
- Major financial and economic hub of East Africa, hosting international companies and UN organizations
- Home to the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), one of the largest stock exchanges in Africa
- High elevation (1,795 m / 5,889 ft) provides a temperate climate year-round
- Rich history as a rail depot founded in 1898, later becoming Kenya's capital in 1907
Tradeoffs
- Traffic congestion is common in this rapidly growing metropolitan area
- As a large, fast-growing city, it can feel overwhelming for some visitors
- Safety concerns exist in certain areas, requiring standard urban precautions
- The city's rapid expansion has led to urban sprawl into neighbouring counties