Top 5 preferred meeting points in Nairobi
With a Central Business District stretching some one and a half kilometres, Nairobi City is considered a the regional economic hub and consequently a venue with several destinations and meeting points.
A few of these venues, have however turned out to become preferable meeting points for the city’s 4 million plus residents and visitors. Here are some:
1. Hotel Ambassadeur – Located within the CBD next to the National Archives and Kencom building, the iconic hotel boasts as perhaps the most preferred meeting points for many a resident within the city.
This is perhaps due to the fact that besides the storied building that houses the hotel, there is an adjacent bus stop, where thousands of commuters converge every day with boarding or alighting from public service vehicles. There is also a large taxi rank just in the vicinity.
2. Nation Centre – The “twin towers” located along Kimathi street has also over time proved an ideal meeting point for several residents of Nairobi. The building’s imposing edifice and the huge human and vehicle traffic around the building could to large extent be the reason behind why a good number of Nairobians prefer it as a meeting point; and so do the numerous restaurants, pubs and forex bureaus around the venue.
3. Nairobi Java House – This middle class coffee shop is fast becoming a vintage meeting point for the middle and upper class Nairobi residents. While the venue is particularly popular with the youth, politicians and other influential businessmen are also said to be regular patrons of this chain of coffee shops in the city centre.
4. Uhuru Park – This venue is also perhaps the meeting point with Nairobi with the biggest space. On weekends and public holidays, it is the perfect place for couples or those dating to while away their time or for parents to take their kids out.
On weekdays, job seekers also troop here in search of employment opportunities while times are hard the wily Nairobians will come here for a quick nap over lunch hour. The venue is also known to be a hideout for petty criminals, especially in the evening and at night.
5. KICC – Until recently one of the tallest buildings in Nairobi, KICC has over time proved an ideal meeting point for people in Nairobi. The spot also offers opportunities for hawkers to trade their wares. Freelance photographers likewise prefer it as the base of their operations.