Nairobi is the largest city and the capital city of the Republic of Kenya, its population nearly three times that of the country's second-largest city, Mombasa.
Nairobi is bordered to the north by Kiambu, and makes up part of the Greater Nairobi Metropolitan region, which consists of five of the forty-seven counties of Kenya.
Until the Uganda Railway built a supply depot there in 1899, the area that was to become Nairobi was little more than a swamp. When the depot became the headquarters of the railroad, a settlement grew up around it, and the resulting city got its name from a water hole that was known as Enkare Nairobi. The original city was burned in the early 1900s after a plague. That, as well as malaria, were problems in the early days of the city.
In 1905, Britain moved the capital of British Kenya from Mombasa to Nairobi, after which the city grew rapidly around its administrative offices. Tourism became important as the British began to use Nairobi as a base to explore the surrounding region, with big game hunting being a significant draw. Several hotels were built to accommodate British tourists and adventure seekers. British subjects also settled within the suburbs of Nairobi, growing the city outward.
The expansion of the city angered the Massai, who occupied the lands to the south, as well as the Kikuyu, whose ancestral lands included that taken up by Nairobi. Dissention led to the Mau Mau Rebellion, which lasted from 1952 to 1960, pitting native tribes against the British occupiers, although not all of the Kikuyu were anti-British, and some fought on the side of the British as part of the Kenya Regiment of the British Army. The revolt ended with the capture of the rebel leader in late October of 1956. Although the British were victorious, their victory came at a large monetary cost, and the uprising cause a rift between the colonial community and the United Kingdom, as well as long-lasting divisions within the Kikuyu people.
These pressures led to the British granting independence to Kenya in 1963, after which Nairobi became the capital of the new country. The city grew rapidly after independence. In fact, it soon outgrew its infrastructure, and water and electric outages were common until the city was able to correct the problems.
The Kenyatta International Conference Centre, a 28-story building in the City Square, was opened in 1973, and Nairobi Airport was expanded during the 1970s, and was renamed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Nairobi is adjacent to the eastern portion of the Rift Valley, between Kampala and Mombasa. The Ngong Hills are the area's most prominent geographical feature. The city has several parks and open spaces, including tree cover. Its largest, Uhuru Park, borders the city's central business district and the Upper Hill neighborhood, and has often been the site of speeches and rallies. Nairobi is one of few cities that have a national park within its boundaries, and Nairobi National Park is the only game reserve bordering a capital city.
Nairobi serves as the regional headquarters of several international companies and organizations, including Airtel, Cisco Systems, Coca-Cola, General Electric, Google, IBM Services, and Young & Rubicam. Several of Africa's companies are headquartered in Nairobi as well, including KenGen, and Kenya Airways is the fourth largest airline in Africa. Additionally, the United Nations has office in Nairobi, along with several governmental embassies and consulates.
Several universities and colleges are within the boundaries of Nairobi, including the largest and oldest university in Kenya, the University of Nairobi. Others include Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Compugoal College, East Africa Christian University, East Africa Institute of Certified Studies, KCA University, Kenyatta University, Pan African Christian University, Presbyterian University of East Africa, Strathmore University, Technical University of Kenya, and United States International University, as well as satellite campuses of other universities.
Most of Kenya's news and media organizations are headquartered in Nairobi, including the African Great Lakes region's largest newspapers.
Nairobi was founded by the British, and is not an ancient city. Everything in Nairobi has been built since the early 1900s or later. Although the city was blighted by frequent fires, malaria, and an outbreak of the plague, it had become the capital of British East Africa by 1907. Some magnificent hotels were built to accommodate European tourists early on, and Nairobi National Park became the first national park in East Africa in 1946. After independence, Nairobi grew too rapidly, but the new government eventually put things back in order. Although Nairobi still faces challenges, such as terrorist attacks, it continues to prosper.
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Situated near Jeevanjee Gardens in Nairobi, the hotel includes an on-site restaurant and bar, meeting and banquet facilities, a shared lounge area, and an airport shuttle, which are highlighted here, along with a description of its room options, photographs of representative rooms and common areas, a list of services and amenities, guest reviews, a menu, contacts, and online bookings.
http://www.after40hotel.com/
Located on Wangapala Road, the Nairobi guest lodging facility is within walking distance from the Diamond Plaza Shopping Centre. Featuring eighty-six rooms, including executive suites, deluxe suites, and a penthouse suite, the hotel’s accommodations are described and shown in pictures, along with a list of amenities, hotel services, and other features. A brochure may be downloaded in PDF format.
http://www.theconcordhotels.com/
Headquartered in Nairobi, the commercial bank is licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Equity Group Holdings Limited. Its history, corporate philosophy, and achievements are put forth, and its board of directors and senior management are introduced, along with its online banking services, personal and business accounts, and services to the diaspora.
http://www.ke.equitybankgroup.com/
The chief objective of KUP is to improve living conditions for people in Kisumu, Kenya through a variety of urban programs, such as expanding local capacities and supporting investments in the region. Its organizational structure, office hours, and contacts are posted, along with an overview of its projects, project reports, and downloadable documents. Announcements are posted to the site.
http://www.kisumuurbanproject.org/
Part of a network of city guides, with a focus on travel, the site offers a guide to Nairobi activities and travel services, allowing site visitors to search and book hotels through Expedia, Ebookers, and Travelocity. Available guest accommodations, flights, car rentals, and cruises may be found by entering dates, destination, and the number of people. Other resources include a city map, weather reports, and advertising information.
https://www.nairobi.com/
Nairobi City County Web Portal
The official website for the city and county of Nairobi offers a history of the city-county, including a guide to its governmental sectors for education, public service, trade and industry, agriculture and livestock, communications, lands and housing, water, energy and environment, health services, public works, finance and economic planning, and its administrative offices and contacts, as well as a guide to the city and its history.
http://www.nairobi.go.ke/
Published in Nairobi, Kenya, the site offers news reports, sports stories, local events and lifestyle issues, including unique and comical news items, entertainment news and gossip columns, a blog, photo gallery, and video gallery, as well as a guide to Nairobi businesses and issues relating to the economy. Readers are encouraged to comment on published stories, submit stories for publication, or take advantage of advertising opportunities.
http://nairobinews.nation.co.ke/
Online since 2012, the Nairobi Wire is a news and entertainment site that offers government and political news and news synopses, as well as political commentary, largely from Nairobi but often covering Kenya, Africa, and even international issues. Other topics include music and entertainment events and venues, as well as entertainers and other celebrities recognizable in Nairobi.
http://nairobiwire.com/
The Kisumu, Kenya business began as a hardware store, and has grown to become a leader in the timber and hardware trade within the Kisumu region, distributing a wide range of products, which are highlighted here, including general hardware, timber products, building materials, paints, roofing and tile supplies, locks, padlocks, and other items, as well as its own brand of executive grills, flush doors, and biofuel briquettes. Its location, products, services, and contacts are featured.
http://www.pabarienterprises.com/
Specializing in the manufacture of school furniture, the Nairobi, Kenya company produces all types of school furniture, as well as other products made with steel, wood, and upholstery, also serving office, restaurant, hotel, and hospital industries, such as chairs, desks, tables, stands and other types of classroom furniture, kindergarten furniture, school library furniture, and others.
http://www.school-furnitures.com/
US Army Medical Research Directorate - Kenya
USAMRU-K is located on the campus of Kenya Medical Research Institute in Nairobi, Kenya, and is one of five United States Department of Defense overseas research laboratories. Originally established in 1969, and again in 1973, the agency has been researching malaria, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, entomology, HIV/AIDS, and arboviruses, it has other field sites in Western Kenya as well as its main location in Nairobi.
http://www.usamrukenya.org/
Located in a suburb of Nairobi, known as Ruai, the children’s home is registered with the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Development as a community-based organization, with a mission to care for orphans and other vulnerable children. A profile of its health center and services are set forth, including its history, leadership, photographs, and video, as well as its initiatives, volunteer opportunities, and contacts.
https://www.watotowema.org/
