Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on Tuesday, April 18, ordered the removal of barriers at the building that hosted the Hilton Hotel for over 53 years.
While touring the Central Business District (CBD), the governor together with senior county officials inspected the barrier that was blocking motorists and pedestrians from accessing the Kencom stage and Moi Avenue easily.
He indicated that the barrier would be removed for ease in the movement of city residents and motorists.
"Today, the governor ordered that the barrier at the Hilton Hotel be removed to ease mobility in the city," read the statement by Nairobi County in part.
"I was walking through downtown CBD checking on my people. Despite tough times, I’m always encouraged by their positivity and resilience. Truly we must make it work for them," Sakaja added.
The order by Sakaja came after Kenyans called on the county boss to have the barrier removed given that Hilton Hotel seized operations in the CBD.
A number of city residents had questioned why it had taken long for the barrier to be removed despite the famous hotel closing shop on December 31, 2022.
"If Hilton Nairobi is closed why is this barrier still blocking the pedestrian walkway?" Sande Jack posed.
The barriers - at the entrance and exit - were used by the hotel management to limit access to the iconic facility with only visitors at the hotel allowed to cross over.
Hilton Hotel opened shop at the cylindrical building on December 17, 1969.
It ceased operations in 2022 owing to financial strains that had hampered business given the global pandemic that hit Kenya in March 2020 among other challenges.
“Following extensive discussions with the hotel ownership, Hilton Nairobi will close its doors for the last time on 31st December 2022 and cease operations. The pandemic created unprecedented challenges for our industry," the hotel's statement read in part.
