Explore Kenya's Communities at Nairobi Gallery

Built in 1913, the Nairobi Gallery was formerly a civil service building, fondly referred to as 'Hatches, Matches, and Dispatches' because of the births, marriages, and deaths that were recorded there. Today the building serves as a museum and national monument.

After Kenya’s independence in 1963, this building became the first Nairobi Provincial Commissioner’s office. Realizing the building’s importance, officials declared it a National Monument in 1995. The Nairobi Gallery opened in 2005.

Joseph Murumbi and his wife collected African artefacts and the works of African artists. In 1976, they sold the collection to the Kenyan Government. It became available to the public in 2013.

He also was a supporter and collector of East African artists, and opened Africa’s first Pan African Gallery with his wife and a friend, Alan Donovan.

American art collector, interior designer and businessman Alan Donovan worked closely with Joseph and Sheila Murumbi to collect and promote Pan African art. He continues to organise and curate exhibitions all around the world showcasing Africa’s rich cultural legacy.   

Alan Donovan worked with the Turkana community who used the readily available cooking pots to produce jewelry and accessories based on African traditions.

Textile has also been used to convey important cultural information, and has often played a central role in festivities and ceremonies. Both men and women weave cloth. Materials vary from place to place and include palm, bamboo, raw silk, pineapple fiber and even metals.

The African headdress is an elaborate piece of art worn on the head. Most headdresses have a profound cultural meaning, but some are worn for social appearances or to shield the wearer against the elements.

Everyday objects, such as spoons, resting stools, and garments used for important rituals and ceremonies are on display. Weapons that might have been used in war, as status symbols, and in traditional ceremonies are also showcased.

Kenyan communities developed containers to cook, carry, and store things. The shapes of these containers were determined by what they stored and the materials used to make them. Some could be decorated through carving, incising or through bead work.

Works of prominent artists from Africa hang in the Nairobi Gallery’s corridors. Styles and techniques vary greatly. Some works depict traditional African folktales, while others make statements about the politics and events of recent years.