Africa · capital city
What Is the Capital of Kenya?
Nairobi
The capital of Kenya is Nairobi. About 5.3 million people live in the Nairobi urban area — 9.3% of the country's population.
5.3 million
Urban area population
UTC+3
Time zone
1.28°S
Latitude · 36.82°E
Yes
Largest city
Nairobi at a glance
Name origin
The name derives from the Maasai expression meaning "cool waters," which was used to refer to a local water hole, Enkare Nairobi.
Time zone
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time). No daylight saving time.
Coordinates
1 17 S, 36 49 E · IANA time zone Africa/Nairobi
Location of Kenya
Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania
Largest cities in Kenya
1
Nairobi Capital
5.3 million2
Mombassa
1.4 millionUrban-area population · CIA World Factbook (public domain)
Capitals of neighbouring countries
Capitals closest to Nairobi
Kampala, Uganda — 507 km
Dodoma, Tanzania — 672 km
Kigali, Rwanda — 756 km
Gitega, Burundi — 802 km
Juba, South Sudan — 894 km
Mogadishu, Somalia — 1,017 km
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — 1,166 km
Moroni, Comoros — 1,357 km
Straight-line distance between capitals.
Frequently asked questions about Nairobi
What is the capital of Kenya?
The capital of Kenya is Nairobi. About 5.3 million people live in the Nairobi urban area — 9.3% of the country's population.
Is Nairobi the largest city in Kenya?
Yes — Nairobi is also the largest urban area of Kenya (5.3 million).
What time zone is Nairobi in?
Nairobi is on UTC+3 — UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time). There is no daylight saving time.
Where does the name Nairobi come from?
The name derives from the Maasai expression meaning "cool waters," which was used to refer to a local water hole, Enkare Nairobi.
Which capital is closest to Nairobi?
Among the capitals of neighbouring countries, Kampala (Uganda) is the closest, 507 km away in a straight line.
Data: CIA World Factbook (public domain); population: World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0).