A celebration of the granting of a Royal Charter to the City of Nairobi, Kenya.

"The City Council of Nairobi presents Kenya Capital". (27). Credits (78). Sir Richard Woodley, the Charter Mayor, seated at a desk relates the history of Nairobi from its beginnngs as a rail depot for the railway to Uganda (142). The uplands of Kenya (161). Still photographs showing tented encampments of the railway workers (178); the railway workers, mainly Indians (182); building the railway (196); the rail depot (200); beginnings of a settlement (204). Film of a brook - Nairobi means `the place of cold water' (220). Still photographs showing the development of Nairobi (245). A white policeman waves down traffic, he is assisted by an African (259). Archive footage showing Nairobi streets and buildings with bunting and flags; a triumphal arch bearing the legend `Karibu' - possibly for the royal visit of Edward, Prince of Wales (later Duke of Windsor) in 1928 (280). The arrival of the first air mail service set up by Imperial Airways in 1928: biplane (G-AAJH) lands at airfield and taxis; a woman, wearing trousers, alights; the crowd; unpacking the mail (319). Lord Delamere (Hugh Cholmondeley, 3rd Baron Delamere, died 1931. He was unofficial member of the Executive Council of the Colony of Kenya) at the opening of the Macmillan Memorial Library in Nairobi (335). Edward, Prince of Wales laying a wreath 1928 (346). The Prince at the races; he took part in a race and won; the Prince is seen on horseback before the race, during the race and at the end. No clear shot of the Prince is shown (369). The Charter Day celebrations, 30/3/1950. The royal motorcade carrying the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester (Prince Henry and Princesss Alice) through the decorated streets of Nairobi and their arrival at the Town Hall (436). The Duke inspects the 3rd Battalion of the King's African Rifles (468). Speech of welcome by the Mayor (539); the Duke replies and presents the Charter (589). CU of the Charter (612). Presentation of gifts; Sir Philip Euen Mitchell, Governor of Kenya presents a mace; Sir Edward Twining, Governor of Tanganyika, presents a silver inkstand; Sir John Hathorn Hall, Governor of Uganda presents his gift; the Mayor of Kampala - an Asian - presents a Chain of Office for a Mayoress (670). The investiture of Sir Charles Mortimer by the Duke (681). Salute of guns and view of the crowds (703). The Duke presents new colours to the 3rd Battalion King's African Rifles; the march past with the Duke taking the salute (802). The civic service in the Cathedral of the Highlands, attended by the Duke and Duchess, where the Colours are presented to the Provost of the Cathedral for safe keeping (872). Fireworks; the huge triumphal arch; illuminated buildings, more fireworks (914). Europeans in evening dress dance at a party to celebrate Charter Day (950). The following day the Duke is given the Freedom of the City of Nairobi (1003). CU of the Freedom document (1011); the Duke, Mayor and Town Clerk sign the document (1029). MS a signed book (1034). A parade of floats representing the history of Nairobi (1277). The Duke lays the foundation stone at the new headquarters of the Kenya Regiment; inspection of European veterans of the Regiment (1314). Laying of the foundation stone at St Andrew's Church of Scotland Church; short extract of the speech by the Duke heard and of the minister giving the blessing (1434). The Duke and Duchess arriving at an African village and greeted by the District Commissioner and the Minister for African Affairs; elders of the village are presented to the Duke (1470). Interior scenes of a hall where the Duke is presented with gifts of African handicraft and is addressed with a speech of welcome by an African (not heard) (1491). Pumwami Memorial Hall; the Duke is presented with more village and tribal elders (1524). Richard Woodley talks to camera about the future of Nairobi (1578). Construction of new buildings, building sites, new buildings, schools for Asian and Europeans, new housing for Africans (1628). View over rooftops of Nairobi (1638). HAS of streets and road traffic (1654). Richard Woodley (1694). Pan over gifts presented to the City (1742). Richard Woodley sums up (1791). "The End" (1801ft).

Note: Credits read..."Devised by the Deputy Mayor Councillor Norman Harris and James Smart MBE with grateful acknowledgements to H.K. Binks Esq. for permission to reproduce some of his early Cine and Still photographs and to Jean de Middeleer and Granville Roberts for permission to use music from the Nairobi Cantata...". The music opens and closes the film.