Nairobi City County Assembly has recently completed a fire safety upgrade that exemplifies how modern security technologies can be deployed sensitively within protected, historically significant buildings. The legislative body, housed in the iconic City Hall, faced growing concerns over the reliability of its ageing fire safety infrastructure and turned to wireless solutions to overcome preservation-related challenges.
City Hall, built in 1939 and known for its 165-foot clock tower, is not only a functioning administrative centre but also a cultural landmark. Its architectural status constrained any conventional retrofitting methods, especially in critical rooms such as the Plenary Chambers, committee rooms and two sensitive data centres. The Assembly’s leadership required a robust, modern fire detection system that would preserve the building’s fabric while delivering responsive, reliable protection.
With this in mind, Kenyan systems integrator Salto was appointed to deliver a tailored fire safety upgrade. Drawing on its decade of experience, Salto proposed Kentec’s Taktis fire alarm control panel and the K-Mesh wireless detection ecosystem to meet both technical and heritage preservation requirements.
At the heart of the solution is the Taktis control panel, a modular and addressable fire detection system developed by UK-based Kentec Electronics. Taktis offers extensive configurability, including advanced cause-and-effect logic, which enables precise responses to fire incidents—such as the automatic closing of doors in specific zones. Its large, colour touchscreen display aids intuitive operation and is designed to present relevant information to different user profiles.
Crucially, the system is engineered with multiple levels of redundancy. In the event of touchscreen or processor failure, Taktis continues to operate independently, ensuring uninterrupted monitoring of the premises. This level of reliability is essential for a facility such as the County Assembly, which hosts 124 elected representatives and oversees vital urban planning, citizen services, and governance functions for the Kenyan capital.
To support seamless integration into the protected environment, Salto deployed Kentec’s K-Mesh wireless network, offering flexible device placement without the need for invasive cabling. The wireless detection system includes smoke detectors, heat detectors, manual call points and sounders. Each device communicates via a self-healing mesh network that automatically selects the most efficient signal path through expander modules, maintaining communication integrity even under duress.
The system was further enhanced with KM–WL8-TRH translator modules, allowing continuous interaction between the wireless devices and the Taktis control panel loop. In combination with KM-WL8-OUT output modules, KM-WL8-O optical detectors, and KM-WL8-SND wireless sounders, the installation achieves complete coverage of the protected rooms while maintaining the aesthetics of the building’s historic interiors.
Francis Kivila, Director of Security Services at the Nairobi City County Assembly, explained, “Kentec provided us with a complete wireless solution that offers the comprehensive coverage we needed while remaining cognisant of the unique rooms and building façade of the City Hall. With the system now in place, we have peace of mind that our Plenary Chambers, committee rooms and data centres are secured against fire risk.”
Ondiek Jorum, Technical Director at Salto, commented, “Kentec was an obvious choice when we were tasked with finding a robust, reliable wireless solution. With a range of different wireless systems that can be easily integrated, Kentec provides the Assembly with the protection and real-time alerts it needs.”
The project demonstrates the feasibility of deploying advanced life safety systems in heritage environments without compromising either the technology’s performance or the character of the building. For cities like Nairobi—where civic architecture serves both functional and symbolic roles—this approach sets a precedent for similar modernisation efforts in urban centres across Africa and beyond.