Changing face of Nairobi's Kimathi Street

Sarova Stanley’s Thorn Tree sidewalk café was operational even when Hardinge Street was renamed Kimathi Street in the 1960s in honour of the Mau Mau field marshal who was captured and killed by colonialists in 1957.

Along the street near the Hilton Hotel was a bus station, and a cinema hall occupied the space where IPS Building currently stands. Horse Shoe Coffee Bar stood opposite present day Nation Centre.

Towering structures

Benson Kimati, a newspaper vendor on Kimathi Street vividly recalls that the Stanley Hotel, Elite Digital Camera shop, which is adjacent to the Stanley, Maru Italian shoe shop on Corner House and Beauty Options cosmetics shop on Old Mutual building, were operating in the 1980s. 

The four shops are still there today. Kimati even worked as an assistant at the camera shop before leaving in 1983.

Fast-forward, 30 years later, and the street is encapsulated in a number of towering structures – IPS Building, Norwich Towers and Nation Centre.

Unlike in yesteryears, the street is now abuzz with activity as players in the retail sector battle for space on the once-dusty street, which has now turned into a hot location for businessmen.

The monument of Dedan Kimathi, which stands erect on one end of the street, gives it a distinct character; serving as a constant reminder that things have changed with time. The bronze sculpture erected in 2006 was designed by Fine Arts students from Kenyatta University and cost the government Sh4.5 million.

“It is a vibrant location to conduct business because it stands at the heart of the city. And as other areas go to sleep as early as 7pm, Kimathi Street remains alive well into the wee hours of the night,” says Mary Nyakio, a bar attendant.

Truly this street comes alive when darkness falls with revellers dancing the night away in the many clubs in the area.

Within the 400m-long street, it is possible to fuel a car, grab lunch in the many restaurants and fast-food outlets on both sides of the streets, shop at designer wear shops like Sir Henry’s, do some banking, visit a salon or barbershop where the high and mighty are clients, and even get five-star accommodation.

This makes the street a favourite spot for Kenya’s bourgeoning middle-income earners.

Competitive

Notably, 2013 was an eventful year for the street. Kaldis, the first coffee shop on the street, was opened, spurring Java House, the biggest local coffee outlet into action.

Java is set to open its biggest branch in Nairobi across the road from Kaldis. The multi-million investment will have a sitting capacity of 150 and will be open every day from 6am.

“The new location is at the heart of the central business district and is a hive of activity all day, making it a great place to do business,” said Angelique Libese, marketing manager Java Coffee House.

Fast food joint KFC, GT Bank, Beauty Wholesale shop and Unique Ted Baker, a high-end men’s shop, also set up shop on the street last year, adding a classy feel to the area.

Higher rents compared to streets like Moi Avenue notwithstanding, new businesses are being opened almost on a monthly basis. In trying to maximise on space usage, Norwich Union, opposite the Hilton Hotel received a facelift earlier this year.

More people and relatively tighter security means it is easier to do business on the street late into the night. Additionally, the large number of hangout joints are a magnet for security-conscious revellers, an argument that cannot be made about other streets.

Among the popular party spots are Club Bettyz, Club Notebook, Club Sylk and I-Club – not to mention Ranalo’s for the older generation.

It is inevitable that Kimathi Street’s strategic location will continue getting attention especially from businessmen hoping to grab a share of the millions of shillings in sales transacted on this one street daily.

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