1899
Nairobi founded as a railway depot on the Uganda Railway at the location of Maasai watering hole "Enkare Nairobi" (cold water).
1900
Nairobi becomes the primary administrative center for the East Africa Protectorate, replacing Mombasa.
1905
Nairobi incorporated as a municipal council with European colonist dominance.
1904
Land allocated to Nubian soldiers of the King's African Rifles (KAR) at Kibera, origins of Africa's largest informal settlement.
1912
First hospital established in Nairobi.
1946
Nairobi National Park established to protect wildlife south of the city.
1964
Kenyan independence; Nairobi becomes the capital of the Republic of Kenya.
1970
University of Nairobi founded as Kenya's primary tertiary institution.
1973
UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) headquarters established in Nairobi, recognition of Kenya's environmental significance.
1978
UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) headquarters established in Nairobi.
1980s
Population explosion; informal settlements (Kibera, Mathare, Korogocho) expand dramatically.
1992
Nairobi Stock Exchange opens as Kenya's primary capital market.
2000s
"Silicon Savannah" technology sector begins to emerge; iHub established in 2010.
2007-2008
Post-election violence erupts in Kibera, Mathare, and other neighborhoods; hundreds die.
2013
Kenya's devolved governance system established; Nairobi becomes a county.
2017
Post-election violence in Nairobi; live ammunition used against protesters.
2022
Nairobi Expressway opens, providing rapid toll-based transit from southern suburbs to CBD.
2024-2025
County government focus on city cleaning, informal settlement upgrading, and infrastructure improvements.
2026 and Beyond
Planned initiatives include Smart City development, BRT system expansion, housing programs, and climate resilience projects.
See Also
Nairobi Timeline Nairobi Ethnic Mix Nairobi Economy Nairobi National Park Kikuyu Nairobi Colonial City