The history of the Kenya Police is a story of an institution created for one purpose and forced to serve another. Formed in the early 1900s to secure the interests of the British colonial state, the force was built around surveillance, labour control, and the suppression of resistance. Its uniforms, ranks, vehicles, and training all … Read more
A Visual History of Power, Propaganda, Protest, and Everyday Survival 1978 – The End of One Era, the Beginning of Another Nairobi entered 1978 in mourning. Jomo Kenyatta’s death triggered a carefully orchestrated state funeral that drew presidents, princes, soldiers, and crowds that stretched across the city. The ceremony was as much about grief as … Read more
A Historical Exhibition 1. Ruring’u Stadium, Nyeri – Early 1963 Supporters of the Kenya African National Union (KANU) gather after a symbolic gesture of surrender at the end of the Mau Mau Emergency. The ritual attire and dramatic hair crests reflect attempts at communal reconciliation after years of insurgency and detention. The event marked a … Read more
Long before Nairobi became a city of traffic jams and ride-hailing apps, its roads told a different story. The matatu — a Swahili slang for “three cents,” the original fare — began as a hustler’s innovation and grew into Kenya’s loudest form of street art. This gallery traces that journey from the dusty streets of … Read more
Nairobi in the 1910s was a small but rapidly growing colonial town, just a little over a decade old since being established as a railway depot in 1899. This decade marked Nairobi’s transformation from a muddy settlement into the administrative and commercial hub of British East Africa (later Kenya). Here is what characterized Nairobi during … Read more
Nyeri has long been a town of historical significance. Over a century ago, it stood as a crucial colonial administrative center, a hub of commerce, and a gateway to the lush tea and coffee farms that defined the region. Set against the backdrop of Mount Kenya’s imposing slopes, Nyeri’s early days were marked by a … Read more
At the dawn of the 20th century, Nakuru was little more than a resting point for weary travelers and railway workers navigating the challenging descent into the Rift Valley. But from these humble beginnings, a bustling township began to take shape. By the late 1920s, Nakuru had evolved into a lively settlement, defined by its … Read more
Before Kenya gained independence in 1963, Nairobi was already a bustling center of activity, marked by its colonial architecture and diverse population. This collection, “10 Iconic Photos of Nairobi Before Independence,” offers a glimpse into the city’s past, showcasing its landscapes, buildings, and everyday life during the colonial era. These photos capture moments of a … Read more