Groundbreaking of the Nairobi Kenya Temple
The groundbreaking of the Nairobi Kenya Temple was presided over by Elder Joseph W. Sitati, Africa Central Area president, on Sept. 11, 2021. A Kenyan Member of Parliament, the Honourable Mr. Opiyo Wandayi, was also in attendance and shared a message written by the Right Honorable Raila Odinga, former prime minister of Kenya.
In his remarks to the congregation, Elder Sitati said that temples “usher in peace in the world, because of the effect they have on people’s hearts. That is why this is a special day.”
Timeline of the Nairobi Kenya Temple
The Nairobi Kenya Temple was announced April 2, 2017, by Church President Thomas S. Monson. The groundbreaking and site dedication for this house of the Lord were held on Sept. 11, 2021, and presided over by Elder Joseph W. Sitati, Africa Central Area president.
Architecture and Design of the Nairobi Kenya Temple
According to plans and exterior renderings, the Nairobi temple will be a one-story building with rectangular windows around the exterior and an arched window over the entrance. Above the temple will be a tower on a square base, with an arched window on each of the four sides and a spire on top that leads up to a point. Grass, flower gardens and some trees will decorate the grounds.
Groundbreaking Photos of the Nairobi Kenya Temple
![Guests help to symbolically start construction by turning ceremonial shovelfuls of soil at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Nairobi Kenya Temple on Sept. 11, 2021.](https://www.thechurchnews.com/resizer/v2/M6U3K4FKXI5YUFP6JRHCGAN4GY.jpg?auth=3c9bcdb5dd478c6ce4b940b085c69dc4a05d67ee9208f8ce7ef9655d23a0e578&focal=0%2C0&width=740&height=416)
![Members of the Mountain View Ward of the Nairobi Kenya West Stake watch the live streaming of the Nairobi Kenya Temple groundbreaking services in a meetinghouse on Sept. 11, 2021.](https://www.thechurchnews.com/resizer/v2/BKGAJC37QVD2JCESJ2WPLOJAT4.jpg?auth=eaf33a315d8451ef6e5627a8a99d6b786013d69ca67dcf876c8098a0bfe39fe9&focal=0%2C0&width=740&height=416)
![A choir sings at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Nairobi Kenya Temple on Sept. 11, 2021.](https://www.thechurchnews.com/resizer/v2/ABC3HMVGUVUBCLLQQZ7YIEY2S4.jpg?auth=573da658e87af665304ab7530366e85db9bb2ea598a3a1e502c0a097d5200415&focal=0%2C0&width=740&height=416)
![Shovels at the Nairobi Kenya Temple groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 11, 2021.](https://www.thechurchnews.com/resizer/v2/FWBIAXBUYEEB6B4DTSAU3JAIWM.jpg?auth=bc8e99531d10374c45fba8388e545cef57d8d09630b3358aa3787824a3224f41&focal=0%2C0&width=740&height=416)
![Elder and Sister Sitati turn their shovels at the Nairobi Kenya Groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 11, 2021.](https://www.thechurchnews.com/resizer/v2/R4NJMZFPBE4Z2ITVYLLYK45B6Q.jpg?auth=5144214d79b0f11562dd783d3b3bd486c4ba5c951e5d702cba57f877ae28469a&focal=0%2C0&width=740&height=416)