It's November 1, 2023. I am visiting Nairobi for the first time since 2015. A lot has changed since the last time I was here. The first thing that caught my eye after exiting the airport last night was the imposing Nairobi Expressway. Constructed between 2019 and 2022, the implementation of the 27-kilometer toll road took place in my absence.
Since I am staying in Langata, my driver opted to use the Southern Bypass in order to avoid slow traffic on Mombasa Road. It didn't take me long to realize that the expressway, bypasses and a network of feeder roads have significantly improved the flow of traffic.
I will be in the capital of Kenya for ten days. That will give me ample time to explore the city extensively and find out what else is new. Speaking of what is new, I am hosted in an estate that was just a dream during my 2015 trip. Built opposite Uhuru Gardens, Freedom Heights encompasses a 252-unit residential village and a state-of-the-art mall. Nairobi's real estate boom has already attracted my attention.
Today's piece is a spontaneous presentation of my train of thoughts during the morning run around Uhuru Gardens. Setting up this track is a commendable step towards the establishment of much-needed sporting and fitness infrastructure in urban areas.
While in Nairobi, I will visit the Nairobi National Park, the National Museum, a couple of zoos, malls, markets and art galleries, to name but a few. At the end of the tour, I will work on a booklet crafted to highlight my experiences in the vibrant metropolis. The book, scheduled to be released by Exposure Publishers in January 2024, will be added to the collection used by the Turning Pages Book Club.