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Nairobi Facts & Worksheets

In central Kenya, Nairobi is the country's most important urban center. It is located in the highlands in the south-central section of the country, at an elevation of around 1,680 meters.

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In central Kenya, Nairobi is the country’s most important urban center. It is located in the highlands in the south-central section of the country, at an elevation of around 1,680 meters. The city lies 480 kilometers northwest of Mombasa, the main port of Kenya on the Indian Ocean. 

See the fact file below for more information about Nairobi, or you can download our 26-page Nairobi worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ABOUT NAIROBI

  • Nairobi is Kenya’s capital and most significant city. Nairobi County includes the city and its surroundings. The Maasai phrase Enkare Nairobi means “cold water” and is the name of the Nairobi river, which gave the town its name. It is, nevertheless, generally known as the “Green City in the Sun” and is bordered by several growing villa suburbs. Residents of Nairobi are called Nairobians.
  • The British founded the town in 1899 as a rail depot on the Mombasa-Uganda line. In 1907, it became the capital of British East Africa and, in 1963, of a free Kenya. The city was Kenya’s coffee, tea, and sisal hub during colonial times.
  • The Nairobi Province and District capital is Nairobi. The town sits on the Nairobi River in the country’s south at 1795 m.
  • Nairobi, East Africa’s most populated metropolis, has around 3 million residents. Nairobi has 3,138,295 residents in 696 sq. km in the 2009 Census. Nairobi, including its suburbs, is Africa’s 12th most significant metropolis.
  • Nairobi is a major African city politically and economically. Thousands of Kenyan businesses and more than a hundred major international companies and organizations call Nairobi home. 
  • These include the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Office in Nairobi, the central coordinating and headquarters of the United Nations in Africa and the Middle East. Africa’s second-oldest and largest stock exchange is the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE). It ranks 4th in trading volume and can do 10 million trades daily. Globalization and World

LOCATION

  • At 1°17′S 36°49′E, the city covers 696 square kilometers. Nairobi is between Kampala and Mombasa. Nairobi experiences occasional mild earthquakes due to its proximity to the eastern Rift Valley. Nairobi’s most notable feature is the Ngong Hills west of the city. Mount Kenya is north of Nairobi, and Kilimanjaro is southeast.
  • A branch of the Nairobi River traverses Nairobi County. Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai led a heroic effort to save the native Karura Forest in northern Nairobi from being demolished to make way for development.

HISTORY

  • The area was a marsh until 1899 when the Uganda Railway established a supply depot that became its headquarters. The city is named after a Maasai water hole called Enkare Nairobi, meaning “place of cool waters.” Plague and fire destroyed the town; it was reconstructed in the early 1900s. 
  • The Nairobi railway camp was chosen for its central location between Mombasa and Kampala. It was selected because its rivers could provide the base with water, and its height was excellent enough for living. However, malaria was a significant issue, prompting one town relocation attempt.
  • Nairobi became the capital of the British protectorate in 1905, replacing Mombasa. The city grew on government and large game hunting. As British colonialists explored the region, Nairobi became their first stop, which led the colonial authority to build several great city hotels. Most residents were British game hunters.
  • Nairobi grew under British administration, and many Britons moved to its suburbs. Nairobi became a municipality in 1919.
  • The Maasai were furious as the metropolis encroached on their country to the south. It also enraged the Kikuyu, who wanted their land back. After World War II, this friction became the Mau Mau insurrection.
  • Despite little evidence, Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s future president, was imprisoned for his role in the revolt after local pressure on the British; Kenyan independence was declared in 1963, with Nairobi as its capital.
  • Nairobi’s infrastructure came under pressure after independence due to fast expansion. In recent years, more fantastic municipal design has reduced power outages and water shortages.

CULTURE

Literature and Film

  • Nairobi-based modern writers founded Kwani, Kenya’s first literary journal. Nairobi publishing houses have published works by renowned Kenyan authors such as Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o and Meja Mwangi, who were part of the post-colonial literature boom.
  • Filmmakers also work in Nairobi. Producer Njeri Karago and director Judy Kibinge are advancing filmmaking in the country.

Music

  • Nairobi is Kenya’s music hub. Kenyan Benga originated in Nairobi. It combines jazz with Luo music. Nairobi became a hub for East and Central African music in the 1970s. Nairobi became a soukous music hub during this time. This genre originated in Kinshasa and Brazzaville. 
  • Gospel music is prevalent in Nairobi, Kenya, and gospel artists significantly impact the predominantly Christian city. Artists like Esther Wahome, Eunice Njeri, and the late Angela Chibalonza affect the general public, while M.O.G. influences the younger generation. Their concerts are popular and as influential as secular artists.

Sports

  • Nairobi is East Africa’s sports hub. The Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani is Nairobi’s top sports facility. After completion in 1987, the complex hosted the 1987 All Africa Games. Nyayo National Stadium is Nairobi’s second-biggest. The 1983-built stadium holds 30,000. Football dominates this venue. The facility’s proximity to the CBD makes it ideal for political events.

EXPLORING NAIROBI

  • Some of Africa’s best experiences have traditionally started in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital and largest metropolis. Before going on safari, this busy city has lots to do.
  • Even in a busy city, wildlife is famous. Nairobi is one of the few cities having a safari park. Nairobi National Park offers traditional African animals a 15-minute drive from city center skyscrapers. 
  • Lions, cheetahs, zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, rhinoceros, and buffalo wander the sun-drenched grassland, and animal enthusiasts can cradle baby elephants and get close to giraffes at Nairobi National Park, Kenya’s first national park, is conveniently located just seven kilometers from the city’s high-rises. The park is a haven for animals and serves as a shelter for more than 50 endangered rhinos. 
  • Visitors to Nairobi National Park should not miss the orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program just outside the park’s main entrance. When Daphne Sheldrick’s husband, David, a veteran warden at Tsavo East National Park, passed away, she started the initiative in his honor.
  • One of the most visited places in Nairobi is the Karen Blixen Museum, housed at the author’s former home at the foot of the Ngong Hills. From 1917 through 1931, the author Karen Blixen (pen name Isak Dinesen) lived there and managed a coffee farm.
  • If you have a layover in Nairobi, stop into the National Museum to learn something new. Many cultural and natural history exhibits are on show, including samples of local art and more than 900 stuffed birds and mammals. There are also displays of the traditions of several Kenyan tribes and fossils from Lake Turkana.
  • Many early colonial white immigrants made their homes and farms in the Ngong Hills, a ridge overlooking the Great Rift Valley. There are still half-timbered cottages and flower beds, but they look more at home in southern England than in Africa.
  • The Railway Museum in Nairobi honors the significant role of railroads in developing Kenya. Among the many unique artifacts housed in the museum is a silver service set used on sleeper trains to Mombasa, replicas of trains and ships, railway publications, maps, drawings, and photographs from the original construction of the Uganda Railway.

Nairobi Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Nairobi across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Nairobi. In central Kenya, Nairobi is the country’s most important urban center. It is located in the highlands in the south-central section of the country, at an elevation of around 1,680 meters.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Nairobi Facts
  2. Nairobi Puzzle
  3. Fitting Words
  4. Two Truths and a Lie
  5. Explore Nairobi
  6. Food For Thought
  7. Travel Goals
  8. Finding Facts
  9. Love For Music
  10. Ad Making
  11. Someone’s Shoes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Nairobi?

As in September 2021, Nairobi had a population of over 4.4 million people. However, it’s important to note that population figures can change over time, so you may want to verify the current population.

What is the significance of Nairobi in Kenya?

Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. It serves as the country’s political, economic, and cultural center. It’s also a major hub for international diplomacy and is home to various international organizations and embassies.

What are some popular tourist attractions in Nairobi?

Nairobi offers several attractions for tourists, including:

  • Nairobi National Park: A unique wildlife park located just outside the city center.
  • Giraffe Centre: A conservation center where you can get up close and personal with giraffes.
  • David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: An orphan elephant and rhino rescue and rehabilitation center.
  • Karen Blixen Museum: The former home of the famous Danish author and coffee farmer.
  • Maasai Market: A vibrant market where you can shop for traditional Kenyan crafts and souvenirs.

What is the climate like in Nairobi?

Nairobi has a temperate climate due to its elevation (approximately 1,795 meters or 5,889 feet above sea level). It has relatively mild temperatures year-round. The city experiences two rainy seasons: a long rainy season from March to May and a short rainy season from October to December.

How is transportation in Nairobi?

Nairobi has a variety of transportation options, including buses, matatus (minibus taxis), and boda bodas (motorcycle taxis). The city also has a commuter train service known as the Nairobi Commuter Rail, which connects various parts of the city. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the main international gateway, serving both domestic and international flights.

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Link will appear as Nairobi Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, October 12, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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