Lights, drones, action as Nairobi welcomes green tower with aerial show

Nairobi held Kenya's first drone light show during Purple Tower's opening. [David Gichuru, Standard]

Nairobi lit up Monday night as Kenya held its first-ever drone light show during the official opening of the eco-certified tower along Mombasa Road.

Hundreds of drones flew in synchronised patterns, forming shapes and eventually spelling out "Purple Tower" in glowing lights.

The spectacle brought traffic to a standstill as drivers on Mombasa Road and the Expressway stepped out of their vehicles to watch.

According to the developer, the tower is designed to reduce energy use by 27 per cent, water use by 41 per cent and material energy by 33 per cent.

It incorporates design elements that allow for more natural lighting and ventilation, which the builders say reduces reliance on artificial energy sources.

"We used designs that let in more natural light and fresh air to reduce electricity use," said project lead Bharat Kerai.

Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui led the launch of the tower developed by Purple Dot International and certified under the Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) green building standard.

"The government's goal is to ensure that eco-friendly practices are adopted across the board. This is the direction we are heading, where environmental and energy efficiency become mainstreamed in the construction industry. Purple Tower has ticked the right boxes," said Kinyanjui.

The tower's EDGE certification was issued by the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank Group.

The launch marked a push to promote sustainable construction in Nairobi amid increasing demand for environmentally responsible buildings.