The 1950s saw the outbreak of war between the Mau Mau and the British-backed settlers and colonial government. While the rebellion was mainly fought in the forests of Mount Kenya and Aberdares, Nairobi became both a battleground and a stronghold for colonial control. The city was torn between two realities—on one side, barbed-wire barricades, military patrols, and detention centers restricted African movement, while on the other, parts of the city functioned as if nothing had changed, with Europeans and Asians going about their lives relatively undisturbed.
However, make no mistake—Africans, unlike other races, had to obtain special permission to be in the city. Curfews, identity checks, and arbitrary detentions made daily life uncertain and dangerous for most African residents.
Through these exclusive images from 1950 to 1959, we explore the divided city of Nairobi during the Emergency era, highlighting the segregation, struggle, and resilience of its people.
circa 1953: A view of part of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, now interlaced with barbed wire and sandbag barricades to keep it safe from the Mau Mau. The Mau Mau are a secret society formed among the Kikuyu people of Kenya. (OC)
See more: Pictures of Nairobi before independence
What do these images tell you about Nairobi during the Emergency era? Do you have family stories from this time? Share your thoughts below!