Barriers erected outside the former Hilton Hotel in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) have finally been removed after a directive from Governor Johnson Sakaja.
The hotel had a barrier at either side of its entrance, limiting access to only customers and members of the public visiting the facility.
The two barriers were removed on Thursday night to ease mobility for pedestrians.
The county boss ordered the removal of the barriers while on a tour of the CBD on Tuesday, April 18.
“Walkthrough 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. Nawalombotov (I love you).
“Na hio barrier hapo mwisho nimesema itolewe (And I have ordered the removal of that barrier),” Sakaja said in a tweet.
Na hio barrier hapo mwisho nimesema itolewe pic.twitter.com/dHd7r4WVSN
— Sakaja Arthur Johnson (@SakajaJohnson) April 18, 2023
The iconic Hilton Hotel, located between Mama Ngina Street and City Hall Way, closed its door on New Year’s Eve, after 53 years in business.
The management attributed the closure to factors beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Following extensive discussions with the hotel ownership, Hilton Nairobi will close its doors for the last time on 31st December 2022 and cease operations,” a Hilton spokesperson told a local publication.
“Covid-19 created unprecedented challenges for our industry. However, the decision to cease operations is not directly connected to the pandemic.”
