Attractions in Nairobi County
31. Ngong Race Course
The visually fleek 2,400-metres Ngong Race Course is the leading and currently the only thoroughbred-racing course in Kenya. It is owned and operated by Jockey Club of Kenya, with season racing hosted on alternate Sundays. The Kenya Derby, first held in 1914, is its most prestigious horse-racing day, but, it plays host to a number of high-ranking annual festivals, to include, Concours d’elegance and Heart Fun Day. Some of the other highlights include the mini golf course, lounge and pub. It’s found along Karen-Ngong Road nearby Lenana School and next to the Nairobi Business Park – about 13 kms from Nairobi City.
32. Nairobi Polo Club
Founded in 1907 along Ngong Road and across from Jamhuri Show Grounds, Nairobi Polo Club has the rare distinction of being the oldest polo club in East Africa. With two full sized pitches, the Club hosts the highest goal polo events of the playing calendar. It hosts monthly tournaments, as well as, a series of other social events and wingdings, all with free entry. Nairobi Polo Club is revered for its vibrant atmosphere and lengthy list of both playing and social members. The Club has become a centre for both new players to kick-off their polo experience and for their seasoned players to battle it out in thrilling high goal tournaments.
33. Jamhuri Motocross Track
Located near Nairobi International Trade Fair, Nairobi Polo Club and Jamhuri Park, Jamhuri Motorcross Track is the foremost and largest motorcycle club focused on Enduro and Motocross in Kenya. “The MX section organizes nine races, while the Enduro category holds five races annually. All these races are sanctioned by the Kenya Motor Sports Foundation (KMS-F) and determine the national championships”. East African Motor Sports Club was begun in 1947 for the sole purpose of promoting motor sports. In early 1990s, the Club began to focus on motorcycle sports. Through Kenya Motor Sports Foundation it started to run events in line with FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) and the Continental Union FIM Africa. Over the years, EAMSC has developed and grown the sport and recently introduced is the Veterans & Masters class for those above 35 years. This has proven very popular and has grown in numbers.
34. Bonzo Art Gallery
Nairobi is a city of diversity, and nowhere is its diversification more apparent that at the nexus of art galleries and studios located between Ngong Road and Waiyaki Way, in the middle-upper developed suburbias of Kilimani, Kileleshwa and Lavington. The explosion of art galleries in Nairobi, especially in the last decade, extends to the city’s personality of being outward looking, in response to a market and appetite for art inspired by both local and international issues. So it makes sense that Adrian Nduma, the impresario of the Bonzo Art Gallery (situated along Ngong Road not far from the Kenya Meteorological Department Headquarters) turned to contemporary inspiration, his work style ranging from realistic to abstract and including portraits and still life and commissions. He works largely in acrylics. “The company seeks to ‘minister to humanity through art’. In so doing, we put together innovative and market-friendly services to continuously respond to ever-changing market demands of the Fine Art sub-sector of the economy” – Bonzo Art. The gallery, brimming with artwork from artists in a good deal of genres but largely in the “modern art”, can be visited on weekdays between 0800 to 1700 hours. For more information on their artwork and visiting the studio, do get in touch at art@bonzo.co.ke, or call 0722 761247.
35. Circle Art Agency
By 2010 it had become clear that art scene in Kenya was gaining a foothold and expanding rapidly. And in 2012 Circle Art Gallery made an exciting entry to the contemporary art scene in Kenya. Its entrance came at a time when the industry was changing considerably in the region, and especially in Kenya, with growing audiences, artists having more opportunities; making quite an impression on the impact which contemporary art might have in time to come. What made the entrance all more exciting was it providing crackerjack services to a wide range of private, regional and international clients, from those who wish to make a single purchase to those looking to start a collection or enhance an existing one; spurring a wave of publicity and interest in local art. Open daily from 1000 to 1700 hours, Circle Art Gallery exhibits a carefully curated and diverse collection of art, from a diverse group of contemporary artists across East Africa, offering an agreeable destination for presentations from local and international artists, curators, art critics, and art collectors. It is situated at 910 James Gichuru Road.
36. Kioko Mwitiki Art Gallery
The search for genuine Kenyan art appears to have propelled many homegrown and seasoned artists into income options that may be creating the vast assembly of outstanding galleries and exposure in fantastic portfolio of art. A noteworthy name, Kioko Mwitiki Art Gallery, one that is hard to miss along James Gichuru Road set alongside the Lavington Mall with its self-same insignia printed on the rooftop, is a smart and vibrant gallery. Along its spaces are splendid sculptures and paintings. A mixed show of paintings, sculptures, macramé and print arts from numerous artists. “You must know of Kioko – the man who makes metal sculptures. If you have gone to the Kenyatta International Airport you will have seen his elephants on the roundabout. His metal sculptures are imaginative – and often witty. There are many good examples in the gallery. He is sharing his ability with other artists – four of them currently – John Fox. Or again, “Kioko Mwitiki has set the bar very high. For not only did the scrap metal sculptor get so good at creating life-size Kenyan wildlife out of scraps that he had to send whole containers-full of his sculptures abroad just to meet his clients’ desires for his art” – Margaretta Gacheru. Entry fees applicable: Adults 300; Kids 100.
37. Photizo Art Gallery
If you are seeking original and iconic work from contemporary African space, appropriately priced, you will probably find your next big thing at the Photizo Gallery. More than one hundred paintings can be found here, with a one-of-a-kind online shopping platform of beautiful art pieces from Africa. Founded in 2013 with just one artist represented, it now pride themselves in representing over 50 top East and Central African Artists. It is located at Valley Arcade Mall.
38. Upepe Photography Gallery
Another great space for name-dropping, but also for keeping your finger on the pulse. It displays a limited edition art photography from Kenya. “All the works are limited editions, original prints that are numbered and have an authenticity certificate. The photos are developed by a professional laboratory in Kenya and hand-checked on high quality paper, the frames are made by local craftsmen in Nairobi. Each print is available in a mix of sizes, materials, and finishes. They sell them with or without a frame. The pictures can be printed in maximum 48 hours and put into a tube for easier transport. They also deliver outside Kenya”.
39. The Kuona Trust
Established in 1995 as the Centre for Visual Arts in Kenya, Kuona Trust is now the largest art organization in East Africa, intent on mentoring and supporting up-coming artists. It has been dedicated to the generation, presentation and promotion of innovative contemporary visual arts practice in Kenya. Its artists studios, its library, programme of exhibitions, artists-forums, workshops and mentoring, and international residencies have been instrumental in developing new and experimental contemporary art. The Kuona Gallery and Kuona Art Shop, that are open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, offers a great place for art lovers and artists to see, buy, and learn plenty about the art space in Kenya. It is found along Likoni Lane, Likoni Close and Dennis Pritt Road, in the Hurlingham area.
40. Shift Eye Studios
Another great space for art-lovers and artists is the multi-functional Shift Eye Studios, formerly known as Shift Eye Gallery, located in the Priory Place nearby Hurlingham. This art centre focuses on showcasing contemporary visual arts – with emphasis on photographic forms of expression – as a platform to inspire and foster dialogue in the budding photography scene in Kenya. It holds regular exhibitions and events at the gallery-space, and is open daily on weekdays from 10 am to 5:30 pm. It is found in the Priory Place, close to Yaya and Chaka Place.
Abiri Kenya 