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Bookmark & shareNairobi is a spirited city with a hint of danger.
Kenya's capital is cosmopolitan, lively, interesting and pleasantly landscaped. Its central business district is handily compact and it's a great place to tune into modern urban African life. Unfortunately, it's also a great place to get mugged. Security, especially at night, is a definite concern.
Originally little more than a swampy watering hole for Maasai tribes, Nairobi grew with the advent of the railway and had became a substantial town by 1900. Five years later it succeeded Mombasa as the capital of the British protectorate. Today it's the largest city between Cairo and Johannesburg.
Travel Warning: Street Protests
Demonstrators protesting against the rising costs of food clashed with police on the streets of Nairobi on May 31. The police fired tear gas and arrested four people. Travellers to the city are advised to avoid demonstrations, as they may turn violent.
severity: Mid-level alert
Fast Facts
Population
2,500,000
Currency
Name: Kenyan Shilling
Code: KES
Symbol: KSh
Electrical Plugs
240V 50Hz
Languages Spoken
Official: Swahili, English
Time Zones
GMT/UTC +3
Country Dialing Code
+254
Weights & Measures
Metric
Kenya - Pick & Mix Chapters
Download the free Getting Started chapter or buy individual chapters from our Kenya guide, in our online Shop.
› Go to the Kenya download page.
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Disclaimer: We've tried to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety, customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before you travel.
