Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC)

The Kenyatta International Convention Centre, known to everyone as KICC, has defined the Nairobi skyline for half a century. Commissioned by President Jomo Kenyatta in 1967 and opened in September 1973, it was designed by the Norwegian architect Karl Henrik Nøstvik with Kenyan architect David Mutiso. The tower rises about 105 metres and its round top is crowned with a cone-shaped helipad. For more than two decades it was the tallest building in Kenya.

For visitors the main reason to come is the rooftop. The helipad level opens up a 360-degree view over the city: the government buildings and parliament around City Square, the towers of Upper Hill, the green strip of Uhuru Park, and, when the air is clear, the Ngong Hills on the horizon and the plains of Nairobi National Park to the south. Access to the helipad is paid for through KICC's eCitizen billing page.

At ground level, the paved courtyard holds a statue of Jomo Kenyatta by the British sculptor James Butler, unveiled in 1971, surrounded by gardens, pools and fountains. The amphitheatre beside the tower, used for conferences and events, is another example of the building's distinctive design. KICC marked its 50th anniversary in September 2023 and is still a working conference centre, hosting summits, meetings and exhibitions, and also houses government offices, so expect security checks at the entrance.

The centre lists its hours as 06:00 to 18:00 every day. Late afternoon tends to give the best light for photographs, while mornings are usually clearer for seeing the hills, and a zoom lens helps pick out distant landmarks. A rooftop visit takes around 30 to 45 minutes. Because the building hosts summits and exhibitions, access can be limited during major events, so call or email ahead if you are planning around a specific day.

KICC is on Harambee Avenue in the heart of the central business district, within walking distance of many city centre hotels. Pair it with a walk to the Kenya National Archives on Moi Avenue, Jamia Mosque and the Nairobi Gallery, or take a taxi on to the Railway Museum a short distance south.