Nairobi, the city in the sun

Nairobi is the bustling financial and administrative capital of Kenya, but for many tourists it is simply a short stop on the way to Kenya's real allure--its beautiful game parks and beaches.

The city's origins date back to the 1890s when a British railroad camp sprung up to work on the Mombasa-to-Uganda line.

From 1899 to 1906, the city was the British provincial capital and became the capital of British East Africa in 1907. During the 1950s, Nairobi acquired a reputation as the glamorous, exotic destination of movie stars and royalty who visited it on their way to African safari.

In 1963 the city became the capital of Kenya when the country shook off British colonialism.

The tune of the Kenya National Anthem is an African Song which is heard in the Pokomo country of Kenya. It is a traditional tune sang by mothers to their children.

The National Anthem was prepared by a five-member commission headed by the then Kenya Music Adviser, Mr. Graham Hyslop, with Mr. G. W. Senoga-Zake, Mr. Thomas Kalume, Mr. Peter Kibukosya and Mr. Washington Omondi as members.