Nairobi to launch city tour buses in a Sh30m branding campaign

Nairobi County Government is set to launch two city tour buses in its Sh30 million branding and marketing programme.

The project will see Nairobi join London, Paris, Barcelona, New York, Johannesburg among other major cities in using sightseeing buses to promote tourism from next month.

"The main aim of this initiative is to brand Nairobi as a tourist destination and attract more people to come and see our magical sites," said Trade, Industrialization, Co-operative Development and Tourism executive Anna Othoro.

She added that the campaign is also about discovering Nairobi in terms of what is within the city and also creating a positive image.

Dubbed Live Love Nairobi, the ambitious project is also aimed at encouraging Kenyans to love the city and promote it.

"Nairobi has a rich history and as country we need to remind ourselves on what is within our city," Othoro said.

The introduction of the tour buses will see both locals and foreigners treated to magical sights and sounds of the city under the sun in comfort and safety aboard the spacious locomotives.

The county executive disclosed that the branding campaign has exhausted its Sh30 million budget allocation with Sh15 million spent in the purchase of the two buses.

Although the two buses are not the typical open-top – commonly used in developed countries – tourists will enjoy the fun and informative commentary by life tour guides.