Eastleigh

Eastleigh is safe and booming, German envoy Sebastian Groth says on landmark tour

By Abdirahman Khalif | Thursday, January 18, 2024

German ambassador to Kenya, Sebastian Groth, toured the ever busy neighbourhood of Eastleigh in Nairobi on Thursday, interacting with business people and visiting The Eastleigh Voice, a news publication for underserved communities.

German ambassador to Kenya, Sebastian Groth, at the office of The Eastleigh Voice news publication on January 18, 2024, when he toured the neighbourhood. (Photo: Kevin Muthoni)

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Groth said he visited the area after a recent newspaper article sparked his interest in it. Accompanied by German Deputy Ambassador to Somalia, Katrin Josten, he was welcomed by Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan at the Business Bay Square (BBS) Mall.

Ahmed Mohammed, of Asmali Media Company, guides German ambassador to Kenya, Sebastian Groth, on a tour of Eastleigh in Nairobi on January 18, 2024. (Photo: Kevin Muthoni)

On their first stop, The Eastleigh Voice, they engaged with journalists, seeking to understand the publication's mission, opportunities for collaboration and challenges.

The team then proceeded to Yusuf Haji Avenue (First Avenue), making stops at various malls, including the Yare Towers, where Groth purchased a shirt. They also visited the famous gold market on Jam Street, finishing their tour at the camel milk market on General Wariungi Street.

German ambassador to Kenya, Sebastian Groth, buys a shirt from a businessman during his tour of Eastleigh in Nairobi on January 18, 2024. (Photo: Kevin Muthoni)

Reminiscing about his time in the city 20 years ago, Groth noted the growth of the Somali community in Kenya's politics and the private sector, with Eastleigh emerging as the epicenter of key activities. He also expressed his admiration for the development in Eastleigh, a key business hub in the capital city, describing it as the "boom town of Nairobi" and an area that has undergone many positive transformations over the years.

Groth further acknowledged the high presence of memebers of the Somali community all over the world, noting there are 50,000 to 60,000 of them in Germany.

German ambassador to Kenya, Sebastian Groth, buys fruits from a vendor during his tour of Eastleigh in Nairobi on January 18, 2024. (Photo: Kevin Muthoni)

The envoy also sampled Somali delicacies at Kilimanjaro Hotel, where he had 'dhaylo', the meat of a young goat, with fragrant rice.

Groth's visit has significant implications for Eastleigh, particularly where insecurity reports are concerned. The neighborhood has often been mentioned, without justification, in security advisories from the US, the UK, and European countries, discouraging Western diplomats and tourists from exploring its vibrant community.

Ahmed Mohammed, of Asmali Media Company, and German ambassador to Kenya, Sebastian Groth, chat with a hawker during a tour of Eastleigh in Nairobi on January 18, 2024. (Photo: Kevin Muthoni)

Ambassador Groth dispelled any apprehensions, declaring, "I feel very safe here. I do not need any kind of security."

His was a testament to the safety and stability of the neighbourhood, challenging misconceptions about it and adding credibility to the community's efforts to showcase its progress and potential on the global stage.

Groth is also accredited as ambassador to Somalia and Seychelles, and is the Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-HABITAT).