Kenyatta international convention center

Kenyatta international conventional center is an architectural impressive structure and a tourist attraction in Kenya and Nairobi city at large, Kenyatta international convention centre is formally known as Kenyatta International Conference Centre and named after jomo Kenyatta the first president of the republic of Kenya. Kenyatta international conventional centre is located in Nairobi the capital city of Kenya, the centre is situated in the city square of Nairobi in the central business district along Harambee Avenue and it is in a drive of 30 minutes from jomo Kenyatta international airport.
Kenyatta international convention Centre’s design and construction was spearheaded by a Kenyan architecture Karl Henrik Nøstvik, the conventional centre structure is a 28 story building with a roof height of 105 m (344 ft) which makes it the sixth tallest building in Kenya. Kenyatta international conventional centre is the largest convention centre in East Africa and in Kenya, the centre is a crucial address for many government and official offices for official representatives such as elected senators and it is a renowned international venue for conferences, meetings, exhibitions and five star hotels.
History of Kenyatta international conventional centre
The construction of Kenyatta international conventional centre also referred to as KICC’S construction was commission by the late Mzee jomo Kenyatta the first president of the republic of Kenya in 1967. The structure was designed by Engineer Ngilu with consultation and assistance from the first African architecture David Mutiso. The construction of the Kenyatta international conventional centre was carried out by Solel Boneh and Factah contactors, the process of the construction was done in three phases
• The first phase consisted of the construction of the podium
• The second phase consisted of the constructed of the main tower
• The third phase consisted of the construction of the plenary
The Kenyatta international conventional Centre’s constructed was completed by 1973 and the building was officially open with an opening ceremony which was presided over by mzee jomo Kenyatta the then president of the republic of Kenya.
In 2011 under the newly established Tourism Act which came in operation on 1st September 2012, Kenyatta international conventional centre was made a state corporation. The centre of the Kenyatta international conventional centre is known for being a top venue for meetings in Kenya and following the Act the centre became a national mandate to be nurtured and promoted as a destination for business travel and MICE “Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions” tourism. In September 2013 Kenyatta international conventional Centre’s name was changed from Kenyatta International Conference Centre to Kenyatta international convention centre as it celebrated its 40th anniversary in operation.
Structure of Kenyatta international conventional centre
Kenyatta international conventional centre (KICC) is ranked as the 6th tallest building in Kenya, the structure of the structure was constructed with light terracotta facade which generally reflects the traditional African architecture of an African hut. The Centre’s structure is made in cylinder shape and composed of several cuboids, amphitheater and helipad both in resemblance of cones, the building is made up of
• Total function space covering 26215 square meters
• Total exhibition space covering 19684 square meters
• Theatre/auditorium hosting 4000 seats
• Meeting rooms accommodating over 4,000 delegates
• Largest non-exhibit space covering 2444 square meters
• A modern business centre
• Banking facility
• Tour and travel services
• Ample and secure parking space
• A revolving restaurant which unfortunately stopped in 1980s and in 2012 efforts to revive it was short lived, the restaurant was 148 seater situated on top of the building and it served politicians and elites. The restaurant had a revolving mortar which was programmed to make one revolution in 76 minutes.
Prominent structures of Kenyatta international conventional centre
Kenyatta international conventional centre is made up of many structures and below are the prominent structures on the structure
The plenary
The plenary is the largest conference centre in Kenyatta international conventional centre and one of its own kind in East Africa as it features sound proof grey stone, deep natural wood and lofty ceilings. The conference centre offers venue to large international meetings, exhibitions and grand balls and accommodates a capacity of 5000 people. The conference centre is equipped with advanced sound amplification and recording systems, wireless simultaneous interpretation equipment booth for over 7 languages and observer galleries. The plenary conference centre features high ceilings which were made of elaborate décor, hosting banners and other promotional banners.
The Amphitheatre
The Amphitheatre is a state of the art structure in Kenyatta international conventional centre where modernity and heritage meet, the structure is medium sized consisting of 3 balconies surrounding the auditorium with a sitting capacity of 800. The Amphitheatre is sound proof and equipped with SIE Booths, full logic recording facilities and state of the art public address system.
Court yard
The court yard at Kenyatta international conventional centre is a paved 75 square meter courtyard surrounding the statue of jomo Kenyatta statue, the court yard is used as a resting place for visitors of the structure. The courtyard at respite Kenyatta international conventional centre consists of gardens, geyser fountains, pools, numerous flag poles and balconies.
COMESA grounds
COMESA grounds at Kenyatta international conventional centre are a vast grounds overlooking Kenyan parliament, in 1999 the grounds hosted the largest ever exhibition to be held in Kenya bringomg together exhibitors for all COMESA countries. COMESA grounds also have a park accommodating 1000 cars.
while on your visit in Nairobi you should consider visiting Kenyatta international conventional centre and experience the amazing architectural building.