Kenyans Invited To Tour East Africa's First-Ever Church Temple In Nairobi [PHOTOS]
Located in Mountain View, along Hinga Road off Waiyaki Way, the temple opens its doors to the public with guided tours beginning at the adjacent Latter-day Saint meetinghouse.
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Members of the public have been invited to tour the newly completed Nairobi, Kenya Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, marking a historic milestone as the first Latter-day Saint temple in East Africa.
According to a press release obtained by Viral Tea, an official open house will be held from Thursday, April 17, to Saturday, May 3, 2025, excluding Sundays. Tours will run daily, from 10 am to 6 pm, offering visitors a rare inside look at one of the Church’s most sacred spaces before it is formally dedicated.
Located in Mountain View, along Hinga Road off Waiyaki Way, the temple opens its doors to the public with guided tours beginning at the adjacent Latter-day Saint meetinghouse.
Each tour includes a short welcome and a 40-minute walking tour through the temple’s interior. Following the open house, the dedication ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 18, 2025.
In the baptistry inside the Nairobi, Kenya Temple, faithful Latter-day Saints can be baptized on behalf of their deceased ancestors, who can choose whether to accept this baptism. /CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
The Nairobi, Kenya Temple is the 204th temple worldwide and will serve more than 80,000 members across seven countries in the region. The vision for the temple was first announced in April 2017 by then-Church President Thomas S. Monson, and groundbreaking as well as construction works took place in September 2021.
As the Nairobi, Kenya Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opens its doors to the public ahead of its dedication, visitors will not only experience spiritual reverence but also admire an extraordinary blend of architecture, artistry, and cultural symbolism. Viral Tea takes a look at some of the features of the temple:
Specifications & Features
The temple sits on 3,435 acres of land, with a building size of 1,846.08 square metres and a height of 32.69 metres.
Exterior features include a cast-in-place concrete structural frame, complemented by concrete block partition walls and a striking stone veneer exterior made from Portuguese Moleanos limestone.
The Kenya Nairobi Temple as captured at night. /CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
A concrete block fence with a painted plaster finish surrounds the temple, enhancing both privacy and aesthetic harmony with the landscape.
The temple’s design motifs pay homage to Kenya’s global floral identity, particularly Nairobi’s status as one of Africa’s top flower exporters. The Agapanthus, also known as the African lily, takes center stage in the art glass designs and decorative paintings throughout the temple. Its vibrant blue-violet hue is echoed in key interior elements.
Interior Details
Furniture & Textiles: Drawing from British colonial design traditions, the temple's furniture is classic yet refined. Local and traditional African patterns inspire the textile choices, creating a rich cultural texture throughout the sacred space.
Flooring: The temple’s floors are finished with a combination of Mike carpet, nylon rugs, and porcelain Cerim Marfi stone, accentuated with Quartzite Blue and Verde Imperiale tones. Stone skirting around the baseboards is made from the same Portuguese Moleanos limestone seen on the exterior.
Walls: Interior walls are painted in warm, neutral tones, reflecting the colors of the Kenyan savanna. No wallpaper or coverings were used, allowing the natural textures and tones to shine.
Art Glass: Custom floral-themed art glass in blues and greens reinforces the Agapanthus motif, adding an ethereal glow to many rooms.
Entering the celestial room in the Nairobi, Kenya Temple symbolizes coming into the presence of God and Jesus Christ. /CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
Lighting: Decorative lighting includes elegant brass and crystal fixtures, carefully selected to match the temple's serene yet majestic atmosphere.
Doors & Hardware: Doors throughout the temple are crafted from solid sapele mahogany, a sustainably sourced indigenous timber known for its rich grain and durability. Door hardware in bronze and brass finishes mirrors the temple's floral themes, while the Celestial Room features unique fittings in an opulent French gold finish.
The Nairobi, Kenya Temple represents more than just a place of worship — it’s a celebration of local identity, craftsmanship, and sacred symbolism. Each detail, from the carved mahogany to the art glass windows, tells a story of faith rooted deeply in African soil.
Unlike the Church’s regular chapels used for weekly worship, Latter-day Saint temples are considered sacred “houses of the Lord.” They host special ordinances such as eternal marriages and baptisms for deceased ancestors—ceremonies that members believe connect families beyond this life.
“We stand amazed to see the construction of the house of the Lord here in Nairobi, Kenya," said Elder Thierry Mutombo in preparation for the open house events.
“We are humbled to witness God’s love and tender mercies to bless the Saints and their families on both sides of the veil. The house of the Lord is built for worship and makes sacred covenants of eternal significance. I love to see the house of the Lord in this beautiful land of Kenya and the Eastern Africa region.”
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate the temple in one session on Sunday, May 18, 2025. The dedicatory session will be broadcast live to all units in the temple district. Once the temple is dedicated, only worthy members of the Church of Jesus Christ can enter to worship, serve and perform ordinances.
For more information, visit: NairobiKenyaTemple.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
