Nairobi

Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya.

It sits in the south-central part of the country. The city is a major financial and economic hub for East Africa. It hosts thousands of Kenyan businesses and international organizations. These include the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Office at Nairobi.

Nairobi is also a global city. In 2024, the Globalization and World Cities Research Network ranked it as a "Beta World City." This status shows its importance in global connections.

The city's geography is quite unique. It is located near the eastern edge of the Rift Valley. This position means that minor earthquakes and tremors occasionally occur. To the west, the Ngong Hills are the most prominent feature.

Mount Kenya sits to the north. Mount Kilimanjaro is located toward the southeast. The Nairobi River and its tributaries flow through Nairobi County. This water eventually joins the larger River Athi on the eastern edge of the county.

Nairobi's name comes from the Maasai phrase *Enkare Nyirobi*. This means "place of cool waters." This name refers to a cold water stream that once flowed through the area. Before the city was built, the land was mostly swamp. Various groups lived in the region, including the Maasai, the Akamba, and the Kikuyu people.

The site was originally used by pastoralists and traders.

The modern city began in 1898. Colonial authorities established it as a rail depot for the Uganda–Kenya Railway. Sir George Whitehouse, the chief engineer, chose this specific site. He wanted a resting place for Indian laborers working on the railway. He liked the high elevation and the temperate climate. He also noted the adequate water supply.

The railway arrived on May 30, 1899. The town grew quickly and replaced Mombasa as the capital in 1907. Later, after Kenya gained independence in 1963, Nairobi remained the capital of the Republic of Kenya.

Nairobi has experienced massive population growth. In 1902, the population was only 5,000. By 1910, it had risen to 16,000. In 1921, there were 24,000 residents. By 2024, the city's population reached 4.8 million. The metropolitan population is even larger at 5.7 million.

This growth makes Nairobi the 11th most populous city in Africa. This expansion has required many large infrastructure projects. These include the Thika Superhighway and the Nairobi Expressway.

The city is a massive center for finance. The Nairobi Securities Exchange is one of the largest stock exchanges in Africa. It is actually the second-oldest exchange on the continent. It is also Africa's fourth-largest stock exchange by trading volume. The exchange is capable of making 10 million trades in a single day. This high volume shows how vital the city is to the regional economy.

Nairobi is nicknamed the "Green City under the Sun." It is the only capital city in the world that hosts a national park within its boundaries.

This creates a unique environment where nature and urban life meet. The city also features important landmarks like the Kenyatta International Conference Centre. This 28-story building was completed in 1973. It was designed by Karl Henrik Nøstvik and David Mutiso.

The building was designed to be eco-friendly. It used local materials like gravel, sand, and cement. It also used glass windows to allow for maximum natural lighting.