Nairobi, famously known as the “City under the Sun,” owes its name to the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyorobi, meaning “Place of Cool Waters.”
However, few know that a city in California, USA, once attempted to adopt the name of Kenya’s capital.
The Origins of East Palo Alto
East Palo Alto, originally inhabited by Costanoan/Ohlone Native Americans, became a haven for African American immigrants during World War II.
These immigrants sought affordable housing, which the area provided due to its lack of restrictive agreements.
By the mid-20th century, the influx of African Americans was fueled by the availability of jobs and the pursuit of higher education.
Despite its proximity to affluent cities like San Francisco and San Jose, East Palo Alto remained an unincorporated area governed by San Mateo County.
This governance structure left residents with limited political power and subjected them to high taxes for basic services like water and sanitation.
It wasn’t until 1983 that East Palo Alto officially gained city status.
The Push to Rename East Palo Alto
During the 1960s, the Black Power Movement inspired African American leaders in East Palo Alto to reclaim their identity by renaming the city.
In a symbolic effort to challenge segregation and inequality, they proposed three names drawn from African culture: Nairobi, Kenyatta, and Uhuru.
On April 4, 1968, the East Palo Alto Municipal Council voted 3-1 in favor of renaming the city Nairobi.
This vote represented a bold statement of solidarity with African heritage and the anti-colonial struggles in Kenya.
Why the Name Change Failed
Despite the council’s approval, the initiative faced resistance from older African Americans in the community.
Many feared the name change would divide residents along generational lines.
Others felt that the name “Nairobi” carried negative connotations of living in a diminished place.
Although the proposal to rename the city was ultimately abandoned, the community leaders persisted in their efforts to honor African culture.
They established institutions such as Nairobi College, Nairobi High School, and Nairobi Shopping Center, which became central to the community’s identity.
The Rise and Fall of Nairobi Institutions
Nairobi College, established in the early 1970s, offered 25 courses ranging from physics to Swahili and black legal studies.
It became a significant educational hub for the African American community. Similarly, the Nairobi Shopping Center served as a focal point for local commerce.
However, the economic decline of the late 1970s and 1980s led to the deterioration of these institutions.
Cuts in state and federal funding, combined with rising drug addiction and homelessness, caused the Nairobi Shopping Center to fall into disrepair. By 1989, it was demolished, marking the end of an era.
East Palo Alto’s Transformation
In the years that followed, East Palo Alto faced significant challenges, earning the grim reputation of being one of America’s most dangerous cities in the 1980s.
However, over the decades, the city underwent a dramatic transformation.
By 2023, for the first time in its history, East Palo Alto reported zero homicides, making it one of the safest communities in the United States.
Legacy of the Nairobi Movement
Although the name Nairobi never officially replaced East Palo Alto, the movement left a lasting legacy.
It showcased the power of cultural identity and the resilience of a community striving for recognition and equality.
The institutions bearing the name Nairobi served as symbols of pride and resistance, reflecting the community’s determination to honor its African roots.
Today, East Palo Alto stands as a testament to transformation and perseverance, a city that overcame significant adversity to become a model of safety and resilience.
