What the new CBK Pension Tower design represents

On Thursday, the country witnessed the launch of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Pension Towers – one of the most iconic skyscrapers within Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) presently.

During the launch, CBK Chairman Prof. Dominic Mwenja explained the thinking behind the two-tower building that is located along Harambee Avenue in Nairobi.

According to Prof. Mwenja, the two blue glass towers designed by Kenya architects under Arprim Consultants were not just built by chance facing each other.

In his address, the CBK Chairman revealed that the building’s design is meant to symbolize retired and senior citizens and how they benefit from the country’s pension scheme.

He said the two individuals represented by the towers (retirees) are supported and anchored by Pensions Towers, Pension Fund and the CBK.

“This is a testament to how we view our retirees. Our retirees give us the best years of their lives, it is incumbent upon us also to make sure that they are comfortable in their golden years,” he said.

Speaking on the design, President Uhuru Kenyatta who presided over the launch recommended the Kenyan architects for the creativity they put into the building.

"This building is the coolest and most modern building in the CBD and Nairobi today. I am happy to tell you that Kenyans are creative and can design such an iconic building which has even been featured in China as one of the most ultra-modern buildings in Africa,” President Kenyatta said.

“I would like to commend the CBK Pension Fund for tapping from local human capital, noting that the professionals that were entrusted to put the towers together as architects, quantity surveyors and engineers were all young Kenyans.”

The skyscraper is a 27-storey building with 6 basement levels, office suites, and retail stores for private tenants.

The building was also designed to accommodate a currency museum and support conference facilities.