The Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), formerly the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, is a 28-story building located in

Nairobi Nairobi ( ) is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The name is derived from the Maasai phrase ''Enkare Nairobi'', which translates to "place of cool waters", a reference to the Nairobi River which flows through the city. The city proper ...

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. The KICC is located in the City Square of Nairobi, and is a crucial address for a number of Government offices, including those of recently elected Senators. It is an internationally renowned venue for conferences, meetings, exhibitions and special events within walking distance of several five star hotels. During its four-and-a-half-decade history it has been the host of several international conferences, seminars, exhibitions and summits. The KICC is ranked as one of the top places to hold conferences on the continent. After completion, the building held the rank of the tallest building in Nairobi up until the construction of

Teleposta Towers The Telposta Towers is the seventh-tallest building in Nairobi, Kenya. The building is located in Kenyatta Avenue, near the center of Nairobi. It is 120 meters or 394 feet in height. The towers have 27 floors, and house Telkom Kenya. Kenya's M ...

. The building has since then ceded its position as the tallest tower to a host of other newer projects including the

UAP Old Mutual Tower UAP Old Mutual Tower is a 33-storey office complex in the Upper Hill neighborhood of Nairobi, the capital and largest city in Kenya. It became the tallest structure in Kenya upon its completion in 2015, surpassing Times Tower which had held tha ...

Times Tower The Times Tower, also known as the New Central Bank Tower, is an office tower in Nairobi, Kenya. At ,Britam Tower, which is the tallest building in Nairobi as of 2020.

History

The Kenyatta International Conference Centre, locally known as the "KICC", was commissioned by Mzee

Jomo Kenyatta Jomo Kenyatta (22 August 1978) was a Kenyan anti- colonial activist and politician who governed Kenya as its Prime Minister from 1963 to 1964 and then as its first President from 1964 to his death in 1978. He was the country's first indigenous ...

, the first President of the Republic of Kenya, in 1967. It was designed by David Mutiso. Karl Henrik Nøstvik was a contractor. and the construction was carried out by contractors Solel Boneh & Factah. This was done in three phases. Phase I was the construction of the podium, Phase II consisted of the main tower and Phase III involved the Plenary.KICC Construction
7 April 2013. Construction was completed in 1973, with the opening ceremony occurring in September 1973 presided over by President Kenyatta. The KICC was then made a State Corporation established under the Tourism Act in 2011, which came into operation on 1 September 2012. Whereas the centre is known as a leading meeting venue in Nairobi, its national mandate following the Act became to nurture and promote the country as a destination most preferred for business travel and MICE tourism. M.I.C.E has been recognized as one of the four key products to be developed under the

Kenya Vision 2030 Kenya Vision 2030 ( Swahili: ''Ruwaza ya Kenya 2030'') is the country's development programme from 2008 to 2030. It was launched on 10 June 2008 by President Mwai Kibaki. Its objective is to help transform Kenya into a "newly industrializing, ...

. In September 2013, as the complex celebrated its 40th anniversary, it was renamed to the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.

Structure

General

The KICC currently stands as the ninth tallest building in Kenya, reaching a height of just over 105 metres.Kenyatta International Conference Centre Stats
7 April 2013. It succeeded the Hilton Nairobi as the tallest building in Kenya, a position it held for 26 years before being surpassed by Teleposta Tower. The tower consists of 28 floors, including a revolving restaurant which offers panoramic views of the city, rotating 360° in 76 minutes.KICC Specs
7 April 2013. The building's light terracotta 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.KICC Façade
7 April 2013. There are several well-equipped conference and meeting rooms with the largest having a capacity over 4,000 delegates. The KICC is equipped with Simultaneous Interpretation Equipment with a capability of up to seven languages, a modern business centre, a banking facility, tour and travel services, expansive grounds and ample and secure parking. It is often depicted as an icon of Nairobi. Up until the 1980s, there was a 'revolving restaurant' atop the KICC that was popular with politicians and the elite, but years of neglect literally brought it to a halt, though concerted efforts in 2012 to revive it were somewhat short lived. The 148-seater restaurant has a revolving mortar programmed to make approximately one revolution in 76 minutes.

The Amphitheatre

At the amphitheatre "heritage and modernity meet". It is designed for medium-sized convening, 800 sittings on three balconies surrounding the auditorium, brings to life and control any serious business meeting. It is equipped with SIE Booths, full logic recording facilities, state of the art public address system and sound proofing.

The Plenary

The largest conference chamber of its kind in East Africa, the plenary is fortified with sound proof grey stone, deep natural wood and lofty ceilings. It caters for large international meetings, exhibitions and grand balls, and has a capacity of 5000 people. It is equipped with Advanced Sound Amplification & recording systems, Wireless Simultaneous interpretation Equipment (up to 7 languages) booths, and observer galleries. Its high ceilings were made for elaborate décor, hosting banners and other promotional materials.

Courtyard

This is a paved 75 square meter courtyard surrounding the 1971 statue of Kenyatta by James Butler. The courtyard was designed as a respite for those attending conferences and includes gardens, pools and geyser fountains. Numerous flag poles and balconies in the courtyard are fashioned to host promotional identities.

COMESA Grounds

The

COMESA The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is a regional economic community in Africa with twenty-one member states stretching from Tunisia to Eswatini. COMESA was formed in December 1994, replacing a Preferential Trade Area wh ...

grounds consist of expansive grounds overlooking the Kenyan parliament. In 1999, the largest ever exhibition to be held in Kenya, bringing together exhibiters from all COMESA countries, was held at the KICC. Among the attendees were nine heads of state, having come for the Heads of State Summit. The Ground can be used to hold large exhibitions or park up to 1000 cars.

References

External links

* {{Authority control Buildings and structures completed in 1974 Convention centres in Kenya Buildings and structures in Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Skyscraper office buildings in Kenya