For a city of more than 21 million people, Beijing is surprisingly quiet, clean and organised.
Coming from Nairobi, a city half that size but twice as chaotic, I could not help but wonder: what is Beijing doing right, and what can Nairobi learn?
Walking through Nairobi's central business district often feels like navigating a system of noise, matatus honking from every direction and human traffic at every turn.
Contrast that with Beijing, where the streets, though equally busy, feel strangely calm.
It is not that people are not moving, it is how they are moving.
You may also wonder, where are all the people?
Beijing separates residential, commercial and public spaces well, reducing crowding on the streets.
So, most are in offices, homes or commuting underground via an efficient metro system. Others work long hours, often until night.
The efficient public transport systems, such as the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), subways and electric buses, ensure minimal congestion.
Nairobi has long dreamt of a working BRT system, but Beijing already runs it like clockwork.
Back home in Nairobi, our roads double as markets, matatu stages and sometimes even dustbins.
CLEANLINESS, DISCIPLINE
In Beijing, I watched as street-cleaning trucks glided by, sweeping away every trace of dust and litter. Not a single piece of paper was left out of place.
Even bicycles, which are available for public use, are parked neatly at designated areas. No one dares to steal them, something difficult to maintain in Nairobi, with theft and vandalism being so common.
And then there is the air. Nairobi’s roads choke with old, fuel-guzzling vehicles that pump out clouds of black smoke.
In Beijing, most vehicles are electric, distinguishable by their green number plates.
Fossil-fuel cars are a minority here, and old, rickety vans like our matatus are almost non-existent.
Fewer breakdowns, fewer accidents, cleaner air is what defines this city.
Perhaps what impressed me most was discipline.
In Nairobi, traffic lights often serve as decorations, frequently ignored not only at night when no traffic police are around to monitor but also during the day.
In Beijing, even at 2am, motorists stop and wait patiently for the green light.
Here, there is a deep-rooted culture of rule-following and respect for systems.
My experience in Beijing was not just about marvelling at China’s development but a mirror, reflecting both the possibilities and the gaps back home.
Nairobi has energy, ambition and potential. But perhaps, just perhaps, it is time we looked East, not just for infrastructure or funding only but also for the discipline, order and vision that drives a city like Beijing.
GUNLESS SECURITY
To reach Beijing’s level of efficiency, maybe we must rethink how we move, work and live in the city.
Why guns are a rare sight among security officers in China and what Kenya must learn.
In a world where visible weapons are a common part of security, China’s approach is different, and it’s all about sending a powerful message.
In Beijing, the image of calm, unarmed officers shows that the city is safe, stable and under firm control.
Walking through government buildings or embassies, one salient feature you will observe is that security officers guarding these premises are unarmed.
They are dressed in ceremonial uniforms, a sharp contrast to our officers, who are armed to the teeth with rifles hanging on their bodies.
We sought to understand this.
China, we were informed, uses technology like CCTV cameras, facial recognition and hidden security forces to maintain order.
Instead of making security feel threatening, they make it look peaceful and organised.
“Of course, this does not mean embassies are unprotected. Armed response teams and undercover officers are always nearby, ready to act if needed,” an official told us.
“Keeping weapons out of sight creates an atmosphere where visitors and citizens feel secure without fear.”
But, Beijing’s unarmed guards are not a sign of weakness; they are a sign of a carefully planned and deeply trusted system.
This method reflects China's belief in prevention over confrontation in maintaining public order.
Instead of waiting for trouble to happen, Beijing’s security system works quietly in the background to spot and stop threats early.
The official explains: From the moment you step near an embassy or important building, you are already inside a carefully controlled zone, even if you do not notice it.”
“Surveillance cameras track movements, facial recognition software checks identities and plainclothes officers mingle with the public,” he says.
At the same time, heavily trained and armed units stay hidden, ready to react within seconds if a real danger appears, he adds.
For visitors, this invisible shield means embassies and government sites feel surprisingly normal, almost welcoming.
Tourists take photos, locals pass by and officials go about their business, all without the heavy presence of guns creating tension.
If you happen to spot officers, they could be traffic police standing quietly at their posts, serving as a symbol not just of security but also of confidence.
Security officers do not need to show weapons to prove they are in control since the system itself speaks louder than any gun could.
TECH ADVANTAGE
Experts have noted this unique approach to public safety.
According to a 2020 report by the Mercator Institute for China Studies, China has developed “the world’s largest and most sophisticated surveillance system”, enabling authorities to monitor millions of people daily without relying heavily on a visible police force.
Similarly, the Council on Foreign Relations explains that “in China, maintaining public order is achieved not just through manpower but also through an overwhelming technological advantage,” with tens of millions of CCTV cameras installed nationwide, many powered by AI and facial recognition.
A report by Reuters adds that in high-security areas like Beijing's embassy district or Tiananmen Square, it’s common for plainclothes police and undercover security agents to be stationed close to the scene, even though visible police officers may appear unarmed and relaxed.
This multi-layered security approach has not only prevented large-scale attacks but also shaped the global image of China, a country where calmness, control and safety dominate public spaces.
To achieve this, Kenya must invest in smart security technologies by expanding the use of CCTV, facial recognition and real-time monitoring in major cities.
This would help detect and prevent crime early, reducing the need for heavy police presence on the streets.
The government could also enforce stricter controls on civilian gun ownership.
By limiting the number of illegal firearms in circulation, Kenya would make everyday policing safer and reduce the need for officers to always carry weapons openly.
