#AfricanLandmarks: The legendary Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Kenya
The Kenyatta International Conference Centre, colloquially known as the “KICC”, now known as the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, was commissioned by Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, the 1st President of the Republic of Kenya, in 1967.
The building is a State Corporation established under the Tourism Act 2011 that came into operation on 1st September 2012.
It is a 28-story building located in Nairobi, Kenya.
The building’s light teracotta façade reflects traditional African architecture, as does the use of simple solid shapes- cuboids make up the Plenary hall, the tower consists of a cylinder composed of several cuboids and the amphitheatre and helipad both resemble cones.
It is an internationally renowned venue for conferences, meetings, exhibitions and special events within walking distance of several five star hotels.
During its 41-year history it has been the host of several international conferences, seminars, exhibitions and summits.
The KICC stands as the third tallest building in Kenya reaching a height of 105 metres.
KICC is the only building that says one knows Kenya.
It is the Iconic symbol of Kenya. No picture says “this is Kenya” if it does not have KICC in the background.
Any visitor to the City of Nairobi is advised to set their bearings from the building due to it’s location in the central business district of Nairobi.
Throughout its 39 year history KICC is the most sentimental building to all Kenyans, most of whose interaction with the city started with this building at their young age.
The Kenyatta International Convention Center – KICC has been and still is an icon and landmark for Kenya since completion.
Other landmarks in Kenya
If one is in Kenya’s second largest city Mombasa, one has to visit the tusk-shaped arches over Moi Avenue.
They are made of aluminium and were built to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s visit in 1952.
The tusks mark the entrance to the heart of town where visitors will find most of the banks, shops, and markets.
The intersecting tusks also form the letter “M” for Mombasa.
There is also The Crying Stone of Ilesi located in Kakamega along the highway towards Kisumu, Kenya’s third largest city.
It is a 40 metres high rock dome resembling a human figure whose “eyes” drop water.
The stone is held dear and is of great cultural and spiritual importance to the Luhya community who live around it.
