Nairobi in the 1910s was a small but rapidly growing colonial town, just a little over a decade old since being established as a railway depot in 1899. This decade marked Nairobi’s transformation from a muddy settlement into the administrative and commercial hub of British East Africa (later Kenya). Here is what characterized Nairobi during the 1910s:
1. Colonial Administrative Center
By the 1910s, Nairobi had already been declared the capital of the East Africa Protectorate (in 1907). The town became the seat of the colonial government, hosting administrative offices, law courts, and official residences. British colonial administrators, settlers, and businesspeople increasingly made Nairobi their base.
2. Segregation and Urban Planning
Nairobi was planned and developed according to racial lines, a pattern set in the 1910s. Europeans lived in the best parts of the town (such as Parklands and Muthaiga), Asians (mainly Indians who had helped build the railway) were confined to their own areas (like Pangani), while Africans were restricted to labor settlements or forced to live on the outskirts. This spatial segregation became a lasting feature of the city.
3. Commercial Growth
The Uganda Railway made Nairobi a commercial center. Businesses, shops, and markets flourished to serve the European settlers, Asian traders, and African laborers. Nairobi’s population grew steadily, though it was still small compared to later decades.
4. World War I Influence
During World War I, Nairobi became a key logistics, administrative, and recruiting center for the British war effort in East Africa. Many African men were forcibly recruited from or through Nairobi to serve as porters and soldiers in the Carrier Corps.
5. Social Life and Institutions
The 1910s saw the establishment of social clubs, churches, schools, and hospitals—mostly serving Europeans and Asians. Examples include the Nairobi Club (founded in 1901), All Saints Cathedral (foundation stone laid in 1917), and the opening of private schools for settler children.
6. Public Health and Sanitation Challenges
Nairobi struggled with issues like malaria, plague, and poor sanitation during the 1910s, earning an early reputation as an “unhealthy” place. The colonial government invested in better sanitation, water supply, and health services, at least in European quarters.
7. Population
By the end of the 1910s, Nairobi’s population was still relatively small, estimated at about 12,000–15,000 people, but it was growing fast due to migration, business opportunities, and colonial administrative needs.
What’s Special About Nairobi in the 1910s?
- Birth of a Colonial City: Nairobi emerged as the new, modern, and segregated city in East Africa, with a colonial character that influenced its later development.
- Foundation for Modern Growth: The urban planning, social segregation, and economic foundations laid in this decade set patterns that shaped Nairobi for decades to come
