Kenyans React as New Building Rises Beside Iconic Nation Centre in Nairobi

The new building erected besides Nation Centre in Nairobi PHOTO/FB

Mixed reactions on social media after another building is built just beside the iconic Nation Centre in Nairobi town, with Kenyans debating the changing face of the city’s skyline and concerns about urban planning.

Photos circulating online show the new building standing immediately beside Nation Centre, the long-standing headquarters of Nation Media Group along Kimathi Street in the Central Business District (CBD).

The close proximity of the two buildings has attracted widespread attention, with many users expressing surprise at how tightly new developments are being fitted into the city’s limited urban space without caring about the skyline.

Some social media users viewed the project as a sign of Nairobi’s continued growth, saying the expanding skyline reflects increased investment and modernisation in the city.

Nairobi’s Skyline

Others, on the other hand, think the new building is destroying Nairobi’s skyline while at the same time destroying the beauty of the iconic Nation Centre.

One social media user has posted asking whether there are rules governing the quality of architectural designs that are being built in Nairobi CBD.

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“Do we have laws or rules governing the quality of architectural designs that should find space within the CBD?” Jim asked.

Jim is questioning whether the county government considers other buildings ugly and can deny them space in the CBD, or if they just allow any buildings regardless of how they look and impact the skyline.

Online Reactions

Comments then started flooding in, with many users agreeing with him while others said the owner of that land had a right to build on his own space.

“Even in New York or Emirates, as long as you own the land and comply with all environmental and building codes, you can build a taller building than your neighbour. Furthermore, those 2 buildings are on 2 Different Streets; that’s just a photo angle,” Mark said.

“The structure will be cladded in curtain walls. It will look good. You should be more concerned with how it relates to neighbouring buildings,” Matthew said.

Leakey said, “I never understand why Nairobi buildings have no spacing. The planning department, please,”

Derek said, “The laws are there in some areas; you are not even supposed to build higher than a certain number of floors, but obviously corruption overrules everything.”

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The discussion has also reignited broader conversations about Nairobi’s rapid urban expansion and the balance between preserving iconic landmarks and accommodating new developments.

Nation Centre has been a prominent landmark in Nairobi since its completion in the 1990s. It houses the headquarters of Nation Media Group, one of East Africa’s largest media organisations.

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