Attractions in Nairobi County
47. Nairobi Gallery
Fondly remembered as the “House of Hatches, Matches, and Dispatches” owing to its original function of recording marriages, births, and deaths’, the Nairobi Gallery stands as an old-world landmark of Nairobi and a stark reminder of her endearing history. Built in 1913, and once the regional post office, it now hosts many art fares and expos. Listed as a National Monument, it is part of Nairobi City’s epochal sites. It’s located off Kenyatta Avenue near GPO and Uhuru Park.
48. The Goethe Institute
Goethe Institute is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany. It aims to foster knowledge of the German language (with year round courses), boost cultural exchange, and to bring people together in a culturally-friendly-setting. By the same token, it hosts a variety of cultural events – films, concerts, exhibitions and festivals – to encourage international cultural exchange. It also routinely houses art, fashion and photography exhibitions. It is located within Maendeleo House on Loita Street, adjacent to Alliance Francaise and near GPO.
49. Alliance Francaise
This the French Cultural Centre and a school for students to learn French and grow their understanding of French and Francophone cultures. It offers a rich program of annual activities showcasing local and international arts, to further creativity. Alliance Francaise also runs weekly film (every Monday) screening diversified Kenyan, French and Francophone films. Once-a-month, it stages a platform for musicians, musical and poetry collaborations, where artists are invited to perform, improvise, experiment and build audiences in an intimate acoustic setting. What’s more, its monthly visual arts exhibitions, installations and thematic exhibitions serve multiple purposes like providing a medium for exposing and celebrating artistic creativity. It is open daily on weekdays from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm. It is found near the junction of Loita and Monrovia Street.
50. Jomo Kenyatta Mausoleum
The death and funeral of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta will always go down as one of the forlorn and deeply-moving moments in Kenya’s history. It would also be an off-centre event of pomp and glamour on a scale never seen before in Kenya, and since. Kenyatta had led Kenya as its pioneer Prime Minister from 1963 to 1964 and then as its foremost President from 1964 up till his death in 1978. Indeed, Kenyatta who took over the helm at the not so young age of 75 had the difficult task of steering the nation reeling from the sting of colonialism, with dissenting tribal factions and unrelenting regional woes, along the brittle path of self rule. In consideration of the foregoing, Jomo Kenyatta, always well-calculated and tactful, led the nation from its twilight to prosperity. Into the bargain, he would be immortalized as one of the most enigmatic and respected African statesman.
Jomo Kenyatta died around 2:30 am on August 22nd, 1978, in State House Mombasa, surrounded by friends and family. The announcement of his death on the national broadcaster Voice of Kenya was received with overall sadness. Forthwith, his body was discretely flown to Nairobi. Mzee Kenyatta lay in state at State House Nairobi for ten days, where he was guarded round the clock by a Guard of Honour mounted by all branches of the Kenya Forces, as the endless procession of both Kenyans and international visitors gave their last respects. On the last day, he was taken back to his home in Gatundu ahead of the state funeral. On the day of his funeral, August 31st, 1978, more than 85 prominent leaders from around the world had arrived in Kenya in addition to more than 500,000 Kenyans who lined the streets. He was laid to rest next to Parliament Building. Then and now, the site marked by 22 evenly-spaced flags – 11 on each side – is not open to the public. It is however allowed to walk past the entrance.
51. KICC Rooftop
About 400 ms from Jomo Kenyatta Mausoleum on an almost straight line east, sits the leviathan and intricately detailed double life-size twelve-foot Kenyatta Monument found within the precinct of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). The monument was unveiled in 1973, when KICC was opened, to celebrate 10 years of independence. The 27-floors (105 ms) barrel shaped building, much like the legend it was named after, became the iconic emblem of independence in Nairobi City. KICC first opened its doors in September 1973, to the most prestigious global conference of the time, and for the very first time in Africa, the IMF World Bank Conference. It held the rank of the tallest building in Nairobi before the completion of Teleposta Towers, in 1999. Up until the late 1990’s, KICC operated a revolving restaurant on the top floor which was then an extolled way to take in the views of Nairobi from above. Thankfully, its rooftop which doubles as a helipad is open to the public to take in views of Nairobi City.
The Kenyatta Monument was unveiled in 1973 to replace that of King George V pulled down in the wake of Kenya’s independence, in 1963, the same year that King George V Hospital was renamed Kenyatta National Hospital. The cast bronze statue designed by James Butler – an 80-year-old British sculptor – was entirely made in England with every detail intact and was then shipped from England by container to Mombasa; then driven by truck to Nairobi.
52. Judiciary Museum
Nairobi City is home to more than one monumental and recognizable building that easily gives away its past association with British Empire (from the colossal Kenya Railway Headquarters to the Supreme Court; abutting with KICC) which have long been an integral part of the cityscape in additions to newer ones like Times Tower, UAP Old Mutual Tower, and Britam Towers. Many of the former house antiquities of the history of the British Empire in museum and galleries. Established in 2016 within the Supreme Court Building in collaboration with the Kenya National Museums, Judiciary Museum (sometimes known as Sheria Musuem) expositions important documents, numerous objects of great judicial value to include carvings of the eight previous Chief Justices who have served in Kenya, and a photographic gallery showcasing the broad history of Kenya’s Law and Judicial System. The only of its kind in Kenya, Judiciary Museum lifts the veil of skepticism often associated with rule of law. It was inspired by the need to open up the Judiciary System to the public, as an approach to bring about a general appreciation and understanding of the changes in Judicial Institutions.
Abiri Kenya 