Nairobi was established in 1899 as a railway camp at a swampy crossing point (the name derives from the Maasai word for cold water). The Uganda Railway (British East Africa Railway) chose the site for its central location and elevation. What began as a temporary railway camp gradually became the colonial administration's capital, eventually becoming Kenya's major city and East Africa's primary urban center.
Origin as Railway Camp
The Uganda Railway was constructed from the coast (Mombasa) inland toward Uganda (1896-1902). The railway required supply depots and rest stations along its route. In 1899, the railway engineers selected a location in the central highlands as a depot and workshop center.
The location was chosen for practical reasons: it was at a water source (the Nairobi River), had elevation (facilitating drainage and health), and was centrally located. The original camp was basic: railway workshops, temporary housing, and supply storage. It served strictly functional purposes related to railway construction and operation.
Growth and Formal Establishment
As the railway neared completion and as colonial administration became more established, Nairobi grew beyond its original function. The colonial government moved administrative offices from the coastal city of Mombasa and from Machakos (in the interior). By 1905-1907, the government had formally established Nairobi as its administrative capital.
Nairobi's elevation (about 1,600 meters), temperate climate, and central location made it suitable for the colonial capital. The site was originally swampy and unhealthy, but colonial authorities invested in drainage and development.
Colonial Development
As the colonial capital, Nairobi developed rapidly:
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Government Institutions: Colonial government buildings were constructed: Parliament House, Law Courts, Governor's House (later State House).
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Infrastructure: Roads, water systems, electricity, and communications were established.
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Commercial Development: Shops, hotels, and businesses serving the administration and European settlement developed.
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European Social Infrastructure: Clubs, schools, and churches were established for the European community.
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Indigenous Labor Supply: African labor was drawn to Nairobi for construction and services, creating an emerging African population around the colonial city.
The Norfolk Hotel
The Norfolk Hotel, opened in 1904, became the social center of colonial Nairobi. The hotel served as accommodation for visitors, colonial officials, and settlers. It became the site of important meetings, celebrations, and social gatherings.
Teddy Roosevelt stayed at the Norfolk during his 1909-1910 African safari. The hotel remains an iconic symbol of colonial Nairobi and continues to operate as a luxury hotel in contemporary Nairobi.
Segregated Urban Development
Colonial Nairobi developed as a segregated city:
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European Downtown: Central Nairobi contained government buildings, European shops, clubs, and restaurants for the European community.
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Asian Bazaar: Indians and Asians were concentrated in a commercial district (the bazaar), with businesses oriented toward Indian commerce and services.
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African Locations: Africans were concentrated in outlying areas (called "locations" or "African areas"), with minimal services and no political representation.
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Residential Segregation: European suburbs (Karen, Muthaiga, others) were for European residence; Indian residential areas were segregated; African areas were crowded and underdeveloped.
This spatial segregation reflected and reinforced colonial racial hierarchy.
Expansion and Consolidation
Through the early 20th century, Nairobi expanded as the colonial economy grew:
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Railway Hub: Nairobi became the center of railway administration and operations.
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Commercial Center: Private commerce and industry developed, oriented toward export (coffee, agricultural products) and import (manufactured goods).
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Administrative Hub: The colony's administration was concentrated in Nairobi.
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Population Growth: Nairobi's population grew from a few hundred (1900s) to several thousand (1910s-1920s) to tens of thousands (1950s).
Mau Mau Emergency and Later Development
During the Mau Mau Emergency (1952-1960), Nairobi was a major site of conflict. The city was a center for nationalist organizing, but also for colonial security operations and detention.
After the Emergency and particularly after independence (1963), Nairobi transformed:
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Africanization: Government buildings and institutions were transferred to African control.
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Rapid Expansion: Post-colonial Nairobi expanded rapidly, with urban population explosion.
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Integration: Racial segregation was formally abolished, though economic and residential segregation persists.
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Modernization: Nairobi developed as a modern East African capital city with skyscrapers, infrastructure, and international business presence.
Contemporary Nairobi
Contemporary Nairobi is East Africa's largest and most developed city. However, the colonial legacy persists:
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Colonial Buildings: Government buildings, the Norfolk Hotel, and other colonial structures remain visible.
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Segregation Patterns: While formal segregation ended, residential patterns and economic disparities still reflect colonial patterns.
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Power Concentration: Nairobi remains the site of national political and economic power, as it was in the colonial era.
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Heritage Sites: Colonial-era buildings and institutions are preserved as heritage sites, tourist attractions, and museums.
See Also
- Muthaiga Club and White Social Life
- Colonial Administration
- The Scramble for East Africa
- The Uganda Railway
- Nairobi's Segregation
- Europeans in Kenya Timeline