Area codes

By Chiquitta

Growing up in Nairobi back in the day it was easy to guess which area someone came from by the first two digits of their telephone number, 56- Kile, 44-Westland’s, 78 – Buru, 58-Loresho. Today the advent of mobile phones has made us kiss that form of social scrutiny goodbye. Anyway, here’s a break down of just a few of Nairobi’s famous hoods.

Kileleshwa aka Kile

Kile is the hood to be when you have newly acquired the upwardly mobile status. Although more recently overrun by apartment blocks it’s still considered posh. Kile guys hang out together a lot; in Kile you will find snobs and Obs drinking at the same spot, most likely a police station. Kile is home to many players and if you are dating a hot Kile guy watch out, he may just be playing you with Suzie from down the road. Both the guys and chicks are ravists to the bone because of the Kile’s

Nairobi, from above.

central location. It’s easy to get to Hurlingham, Westlands, City Centre and Lang’ata road from Kile.

Mathree: 48

Celeb spotting: DJ Adrian

Runda Area

Runda,Gigiri, Nyari, Roslyn and Kitusuru all fall under what everyone refers to as Runda. Runda is famous for two things, lush residential houses and Village Market. In fact you could say Village Market made Runda famous,. If it wasn’t for this huge expansive shopping mall Runda would have had only the Lord Errol as its claim to fame And we all know that anything named after a dead guy hardly ever kicks. Living in Runda is the Kenyan dream. Yaani what one would do if they hit big like the Slumdog Millionare.

Mathrees: 108

Celeb spotting: DJ CK

Dandora L.O.V.E

Dandara! While Dandora may not be the best place to live in the city the creativity of its residents has shown its positive side. Dandora was the genesis of Kenyan rappers Kalamashaka who used the surroundings to tell stories about where they came from. Every Kenyan could relate to the hit Tafsiri hii. Since then, Dandora has produced raw talent that has spawned to form the Ukoo Flani MauMau camp. This has seen many look at the lower income hood anew. The Dandora rappers have given their younger inhabitants something to be proud of and through various initiatives have continued to create hope for the younger generation.

Mathrees: 36

Celebspotting: MC Kah, Zakah, K-shaka

Ridgeways aka Shagz

Far from the madding crowd and off Kiambu road is Ridgeways, a great place to live if you don’t mind the smell of manure. Yes, that’s Ridgeways half farmland, half suburb. Ridgeways is home to some of the most beautiful houses in Nairobi. It also has some of the flyest chicks having produced Miss Universe Kenya , Julie Njeru in 2002 ,(it’s all been downhill with Miss Kenya since then). Ridgeways dudes are what we ‘d consider romantic in Kenyan terms, that is, they publicly admit to having a girlfriend.

Mathrees: 11A

Celeb spotting: Madd Traxx, Gichboy, Bamzigi

Westlands aka Westie

Westie or bust! That was once the motto come Friday night, of course since then we have zeekad mad. Westie is the hood every young’un wished they lived in but their parents refused. And although considered uptown it got its street cred when Kantai decided to represent. Home to a cluster of rave joints there are two Westies, the one on weekdays overrun by shoppers, school children and office workers and the one on weeknights overrun with ravists,

Mathrees: 23

Celeb spotting. Carol Mutoko, Seanice Kacungira

Lang’ata aka LGT

Back when Tupac and biggie were alive, Lang’ata was known as LA. Its proximity to Carnivore means it produced some the most diehard ravists in Kenyans history. Only someone who lives in Lang’ata can tell you they attended Soul nite, Rock night, New Jack, Groove, Bhangra nite Kitwek and Beats of the Season in one sentence. It was renamed LGT after Tupac died.

Mathrees: 15

Celeb spotting: Them Mushrooms, Penina Karibe

Nairobi West aka West

Nairobi West invented the local. In fact the local is still considered a Nairobi West tradition and whatever time day or night — the Nairobi West bars are never completely empty. If it wasn’t for the residential homes Nairobi West would be considered one big local. With that said it would be advisable to never try and out drink a Nairobi West native. And for some odd reason it’s also home to some of the skinniest jamaas in Nairobi.

Mathrees:14

Celeb spotting: Roba of Kleptomaniacs, Smitta Smitten

South B aka B

South B is home to almost everyone. Everyone knows someone who knows someone who lives in South B. Its proximity to town makes it a prime location for those who’ve just started working in town. This means that majority of its population is young and hip. South B is also the ancestral home of Miss Babes of the mitumba high heels fame.

Mathrees: 11

Celeb spotting: Amani, Miss Babes