The Purple Tower Opens with Kenya's 1st Drone Light Show: “Tanzania Wadhani Ni New York”

• The Purple Tower, a 14-storey eco-friendly building on Mombasa Road, was officially opened with Kenya’s first-ever drone light show
• Drones equipped with LED lights formed impressive shapes and spelt out words, captivating many spectators
• The event also featured fireworks and sparked lively online reactions, with Kenyans playfully teasing Tanzania about the new technology

The Purple Tower, a 14-storey building along Mombasa Road, was spectacularly opened.

The Purple Tower Holds drone light show

Touted as one of the most eco-friendly buildings in the region, it was officially opened on Wednesday, May 29, with Kenya's first-ever drone light show.

A drone light show features numerous LED-equipped drones flying in coordinated formations to form images and patterns in the sky.

Their movements and colour changes are pre-programmed and often synced with music or visual displays for added effect.

Footage from the launch showed drones creating various shapes, including an elephant.

“Purple is the new green,” the drones formed the words.

Many people watching the show were amazed, but one child was not eager to watch.

“Come and see,” a man said, but the child replied that he was scared.

The Purple Tower also launched fireworks during the event.

Inevitably, Kenyans turned their attention to the recent online feud with Tanzania, which saw both parties trading barbs. It all started with the alleged torture of Kenyan pollical activist Boniface Mwangi.

Netizens used the opportunity to brag about the drone light show, saying it was a foreign concept for Tanzanians. Here are some of the reactions:

the_happy.lawner:

“I know Tanzania now thinks this is America.”

official_denudo:

“What do Tanzanians say when they see this?”

pauline_idivirah:

“My mama would say it’s Illuminati.”

c.jay_ymc:

"We are not done with Tanzania."

savake:

“So yesterday it wasn’t the khat I chewed? I had to sleep because I thought I was crazy.”

Achiengmel:

“The skies were beautiful yesterday.”

bri_ano254:

“Send this to Tanzania so that they can stop being ignorant.”

Marvingakunyi:

“Our neighbours think Nairobi is New York.”

his_x.l.n.c:

“Tekinolojiaa.”

y0lz:

"Top notch marketing."

jesseabisheck:

"I was on Mombasa Road this morning, I did not see it."

b.l.i.x.y._r.i.c.k.y:

"Tanzanians have not seen this."

Cheplagat Saina, administrator at the building, noted that the launch made a mark.

“We wanted the launch of the Purple Tower to be as groundbreaking as the building itself, the drone light show wasn’t just a spectacle; it was a statement about where Nairobi is headed.”

Wycliffe Sifuna, a private chauffeur, admitted to TUKO.co.ke that the launch was a sight to behold.

“We have vehicle parking on the Expressway to witness it.”

How is The Purple Tower eco-friendly?

Previously speaking to TUKO.co.ke, the developer highlighted that the Purple Tower is a significant step towards eco-friendly architecture, aiming to reduce energy use by 27%, water consumption by 41%, and embodied material energy by 33%.

These savings are achieved through features like high-performance thermal glass, energy-efficient lighting, and an intelligent building management system that optimizes energy use.

Water conservation is supported by low-flow fixtures and potential rainwater harvesting. Additionally, the use of sustainable, locally sourced materials helps lower the building’s overall carbon footprint.

The launch of the building was described as a landmark event, signaling Nairobi’s advancement as a modern city committed to innovation and sustainability.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke