Kenya Election Debates - Encounter with the GSU

Before the elections Kenya help televised debates with all the 8 candidates present. This was the first time for such an event in Kenya and most of Kenya watched them. There were some real characters among the 8 and also some thorny issues for the participants to defend. For the second round I was in Nairobi  and watched the first 2 hours from a bar in the CBD. Then I returned to the hotel for the second half. En-route I passed the Tom Mboya statue and square where there was a big screen and a large crowd. At the back there was a large green army truck full of GSU (General Service Unit of the Army – the most feared of security teams in Kenya) luckily all was peaceful so and a smile and wave from the passing Mzungu managed to crack one or two of the stern faces on the truck into a smile. They are human really……… 

I decided taking a photo was probably pushing it a bit  :)

Feb 2013 - KICC Tower and Nairobi Safari Park

My final weekend before “re-locating” to Tanzania for the elections, I visited Nairobi to see a Kenyan friend. They had arranged for us to go up the KICC tower in the Central Business District. http://www.kicc.co.ke/index.php/about-the-building This gives you an amazing view of the Nairobi panorama. This is on my top 10 list of things to do in Nairobi. It is about 200 shilings for nationals and around 400 for others (from memory!!). Luckily there is a lift to the top almost 30 storeys up. Also we had the privilege of being on our own up there to enjoy the view. The photo is a 360 degree panorama that will be too small as it appears on here but if you blow it up you will get the idea. Anyone wanting the full resolution version let me know.

After a quick lunch we then jumped on a Matatu for the Nairobi Safari Park where there is a safari walk. http://www.kws.org/parks/education/nairobi_safariwalk.html  It is a little zoo like but you get a good view of the animals – see the leopard below!! And it is a nice relaxing stroll and place to chill out. Again, recommended. If you are a resident remember your ID! I did not and had to pay 1800 kenya shillings rather than around 200 to 400. Another good and recommended day trip in Nairobi.