Here is a list of the top historical buildings in Nairobi. Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, has a distinct story to tell through its historic buildings. Although the city now boasts impressive skyscrapers, it may be hard to imagine that there was once a time when a simple one-story structure, Kipande House, was Nairobi’s tallest building for 2 decades.
To get a proper feel of Nairobi at its essence, you have to immerse yourself in its glorious preceding times and pay homage to a place that began as a rail depot on the Uganda-Kenya Railway. These buildings have stood the test of time to tell people’s history and beliefs and serve as a reminder of their great architectural and aesthetic importance.
Historical Buildings in Nairobi and their Locations
1. Nairobi Gallery
Built-in 1913, what is now Nairobi Gallery was the Old PC’s office building, affectionately known as ‘Hatches, Matches and Dispatches’ due to the births, marriages and deaths recorded here. Today, the building is a National Monument and serves as a museum, hosting temporary art exhibitions.
The Nairobi Gallery is divided into six main rooms, each containing a different collection. It houses the Murumbi African Heritage Collection as well as temporary art exhibitions. It also serves as Point Zero, from which all distances in Kenya are measured.
Inside the Joseph and Sheila Murumbi Room, items collected and used by the Murumbis are displayed. Joseph Murumbi and his wife collected African artefacts and works by African artists. In 1976, they sold the collection to the Kenyan government. It was made available to the public in 2013.
2. Kenya National Archives
When discussing historical buildings in Nairobi or throughout Kenya, the National Archives is a must-see. This historic structure was constructed in 1965 and designated as an Act of Parliament in Kenya the same year.
The Kenya National Archives houses a treasure trove of approximately 40,000 public historical records and archives dating back to the pre-colonial era. The Murumbi Gallery, located on the building’s ground floor, houses 19th-century African artefacts.
3. All Saints Cathedral
All Saints Cathedral is regarded as one of Nairobi’s oldest and largest churches. This Anglican Church was built in 1917 using Kenyan stone and designed in the British Gothic style, resulting in a seamless blend of the two cultures. The church’s main structure is dominated by two massive stone towers that reflect mediaeval England.
Initially, only whites were allowed to enter the venue of worship. However, this changed in 1963, when Kenya gained independence. In 1970, Bishop Festo Habakkuk Olang became Kenya’s first African Archbishop of the Anglican Church.
4. Nairobi Railway Museum
This museum commemorates the history of the country’s rail network. The Nairobi Railway Museum, housed in the former East African Railway offices, displays an intriguing collection of artefacts, railway engine models, and exhibits depicting railway construction.
Within the museum yard, you can also see some steam and early diesel locomotives that once operated on the Kenya-Uganda Railway. Look out for the “man-eaters of Tsavo” tale in one of these locomotives. The very carriage from which a British superintendent was dragged by these beasts is on display here.
5. McMillan Memorial Library
On June 5, 1931, the library was officially opened by the Governor of Kenya, Sir Joseph A. Byrne. The building boasts a neo-classical architectural style with a grand white marble trapezoidal staircase that leads up to the portico. The façade is dominated by towering granite-clad columns, and two lion statues stand guard on either side of the entrance.
The McMillan Library, constructed by the McMillan family, is one of Nairobi’s most prominent historical buildings. Sir Joseph A. Bryne, the Colonial Governor, officially opened the library on June 5, 1931, and named it after Sir William Northrup McMillan, a successful businessman, wanderer, and pioneer.
The McMillan Memorial Library houses over 400,000 books and periodicals dating back to 1901, making it a valuable source of information. During the colonial period, it was a European-only library. But now it is open to anyone who enjoys reading or exploring.
6. Kipande House
The historic Kipande House, built in 1913, is located at the intersection of Kenyatta Avenue and Loita Street in Nairobi’s Central Business District. ‘Kipande’ is a Swahili word that means ‘identification card’.
Henry Belfield, who was Kenya’s governor between 1912 and 1917, ordered the building to be used for issuing identity cards only to Africans. Local Africans who wanted to be employed or do business in Nairobi had to first be registered and given identity cards. Sitting amongst Nairobi’s modern tall skyscrapers, this ancient building was initially called the Nayer Building, named after famous Indian businessman Gurdit Singh Nayer. Interestingly enough, many people didn’t know that the Kipande House was Nairobi’s tallest building until the city hall was completed in 1935.
Nayer Gurdit Singh, the Indian businessman who constructed the Kipande house, had been sent to Kenya by the Bank of India in 1889 to establish operations in Kenya. Upon seeing the numerous unexploited business opportunities in Kenya, he resigned from his job as a banker and ventured into business.
Kipande House was famous for its magnificent clock tower, which was visible across the city. The building was designed near the old Uganda railway line by David Fialt, an English architect. During the First World War, the colonial government rented the building and used it as a warehouse.
In 1976, one of Kenya’s largest banks, Kenya Commercial Bank, bought Kipande House. It had been gazetted as a national monument at the time. To this day, the stone-built building houses one of the key branches of Kenya Commercial Bank in the city centre.
8. Karen Blixen Museum
The Karen Blixen Museum gained worldwide recognition after the release of the Oscar-winning movie “Out of Africa,” which was based on Karen Blixen’s autobiography of the same name. The property was constructed in 1912 by the Swedish engineer Ake Sjogren.
In 1917, Karen Blixen and her husband, Baron Bro Von Blixen Fincke, purchased the house. After their marriage failed, Baron moved out of the farmhouse, and Karen took over the farm. Karen lived in the house until 1931 when she returned to Denmark. The property was then sold multiple times until 1964, when the Danish government purchased it and gave it to the Kenyan government as an independent gift.
The government set up a nutrition college and utilized the Blixen house as the principal’s house. After the filming of “Out of Africa,” the National Museums of Kenya acquired the building, which is now the museum we all know today. The museum is located 10 km from the city centre and was opened in 1986.
9. Nairobi Post Office
Located along Kenyatta Avenue, the GPO building has remained a prominent landmark in the city. The General Post Office (GPO) in Nairobi has a rich history that dates back to its establishment in 1907 as the Nairobi Post Office.
Over the years, the GPO has not only served as a post office but also houses important government offices, including the renowned GPO Huduma Centre. This centre provides various public services, making it a hub of activity within the building.
During the era of colonial rule, the GPO played a vital role in facilitating communication between Kenya and Europe. A fascinating tradition was the flying of different coloured flags from the building’s roof. These flags served as signals, indicating the arrival of a mail boat from Europe at Aden or signalling the time to post mail back to Europe.
10. Parliament Buildings
Legislation in Kenya dates back to the colonial era. The Parliament Buildings were built in 1954 and served as the home of the colonial legislature of the Kenya Colony, the Legislative Council of Kenya, until 1963, when the National Assembly replaced it. The architectural design mimics the Big Ben Clock from the United Kingdom.
11. Kaloleni Social Hall
Built between 1943 and 1948 by Italian prisoners of war, Kaloleni Social Hall is of great historical significance. It was a part of the Kaloleni Estate and was declared a national monument in 2015. The hall is an important part of the country’s heritage, as it has been a launchpad for several movements during the independence struggle.
The structure is made of stone walls and Mangalore tiled roofs, and it was initially built as an activity area where locals could spend their leisure time. Presently, it houses a main and small hall, and the latter is rented to evangelical churches for use.
12. Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC)
For decades, the Kenyatta International Convention Centre has been an unmistakable landmark of Nairobi’s skyline, giving the capital an irrefutable identity. In December 1967, Jomo Kenyatta, the founding president, laid the foundation stone for the building. It was completed in September 1973 to host a global World Bank and International Monetary Fund meeting.
Fast-forward to October 2018, when Kenyan architect David Mutiso set social media alight with a yet-unheard claim that the iconic building “was inspired by a donkey’s penis.” In the same interview with Citizen TV, Mutiso also said he had designed the KICC. It stands 28 stories tall and is named after Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s first president.
13. Jamia Mosque
The Jamia Mosque is the largest in Nairobi and is located in the central business district. The mosque’s construction began in 1902 and was completed in 1952. The mosque’s architecture combines Islamic and Swahili styles and is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city.
