A journey through Nairobi in pictures

**Nairobi City as viewed from the Global Trade Centre.** [David Gichuru, Standard]

It is difficult to make out KICC which has since been eclipsed by other skyscrapers. Below the towering structure along Chiromo Lane is the modern expressway that links the outer city limits together, nothing like Preston's old caravan track!

And there is more evidence of humankind than Preston and other founders of the city would ever have dreamt of. Over four million people call Nairobi home, a contrast to those who, as the governor stated, viewed the city as a transitory place, where one came to look for greener pastures while their minds were fixed on their upcountry hamlets.

There was no hotel when the railway happened in Nairobi. The Stanley, forerunner to the current Sarova Stanley was opened in 1902 (the same year this newspaper was established) by Mayence Tate.

Tate had no mattresses though she was ready to receive high-profile guests in her hotel in addition to providing hospitality to the 30 European settlers in Nairobi at the time.

She had to do with mattresses made out of old gunny bags and dried grass mowed from the nearby railway line and sewn together by Abraham Block, a Lithuanian Jew who had come here for business prospects.

In some months to come, the new tower in Nairobi will host the highest hotel on the continent, the JW Marriot and like other Five-star establishments in the city, you can be sure that there will be no grass-filled mattresses here.

Through the photo competition, Nairobians have an opportunity to be part of Nairobi's history and contribute to the creation of a lasting tribute to the city with Sakaja saying the initiative "comes at a time when Kenyans need to be reminded of the beauty and heritage of their country".

"The aim of 'My Great Nairobi' is to educate people on the city's history and provide an opportunity for the public to be a part of that history. This is not just a one-way exhibition, but one that will involve public participation by asking Kenyans to share their memories/memoirs and stories of Nairobi," he stated.

So now that everyone with a smartphone is also a photographer, start clicking and uploading up to three photos taken in Nairobi on the portal, mygreatnairobi.co.ke. You might just receive a top-of-the-range camera and accessories and be part of history, a history to redefine Nairobi.