What is the capital of Kenya?

The capital of Kenya is Nairobi. It is the country’s largest city and its political, financial, and international-organisation hub.

Nairobi grew from a railway settlement established by British colonial authorities during construction of the Uganda–Kenya Railway in the late 19th century. Its high elevation, mild climate, and reliable water supply made it a practical base, and it replaced Mombasa as the colonial capital in 1907. Kenya retained Nairobi as its capital when independence arrived in 1963.

The name comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, commonly translated as “place of cool waters.” Nairobi is also unusual because Nairobi National Park lies within the metropolitan area, allowing wildlife such as lions, giraffes, and zebras to live close to a major capital city.

Mombasa is a frequent mix-up because it was an earlier colonial centre and remains Kenya’s important Indian Ocean port. Nakuru, Kisumu, and Mombasa are significant cities, but none is the national capital.