History

Standing majestically on a three-square-kilometer estate in Nairobi's Kilimani area, Kenya's State House has been the seat of power for over a century. This architectural masterpiece has witnessed the transition from colonial rule to independence, hosted world leaders, and stood as a silent observer to Kenya's most defining moments. Today, as the building undergoes its most dramatic transformation since...

The Architecture of Memory and Immortality Across civilizations, humankind has raised monuments not only to celebrate the living but to immortalize the dead. Among the grandest of these are mausoleums — solemn yet majestic structures that blend architecture, legacy, and national memory into enduring art. The Origins of a Timeless Tradition The term mausoleum originates from Halicarnassus...

Baba Dogo(RIGHT) If you drive through Ruaraka today, past the factories, hardware yards, and narrow roads that pulse with matatus and traders, you’ll find yourself in an area called Baba Dogo. To most Nairobians, it’s just another busy industrial-residential neighbourhood. But behind that familiar name lies a story of generosity, faith, and how a single man’s kindness became immortalized on the...

The founders of Embu, it would seem, dreamt big — perhaps even across oceans. They modelled, at least in name, various corners of Ndega and Nthaara partly on the United States, with a sprinkle of Great Britain for good measure. It’s as if someone once stood on a hill overlooking the lush slopes of Mount Kenya and declared, “Why shouldn’t we have our own Chicago, our Manhattan, or even a...

The Bearer of the Flame “Revolutions are not meritocracies of the boldest or the purest — they are lotteries of destiny.” In the crucible of revolution, where blood soaks the earth and dreams clash against iron-fisted empires, there always arises one—not the flawless paragon of virtue, nor the fiercest warrior charging headlong into the fray, but the figure befitting enough to cradle the...

Tucked away in the serene neighbourhood near Nairobi Hospital stands one of Kenya’s most quietly significant institutions — Lee Funeral Home. For decades, this discreet complex has become synonymous with dignity, order, and the final farewell of some of the country’s most notable figures. Yet behind its imposing gates and immaculate lawns lies a story that’s as much about foresight and...

The first beer to be brewed in a factory in Kenya was produced in 1922 in small copper vessels heated by firewood.   It was bottled by hand and the first order of ten cases personally delivered to the General Manager of the Stanley Hotel, now Sarova Stanley, in Nairobi.   Although the hotel had just been opened, it was the meeting point for visiting presidents and world-renowned...

A Journey to Sagrada Familia: An Architectural Marvel That Redefines Majesty By Pauline Njoroge for Makao Bora Blog Having visited some of the world’s most renowned cathedrals, including the awe-inspiring St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel in Rome, I thought I’d seen the pinnacle of architectural and artistic brilliance. I genuinely believed no other church could surpass those...

In his final interview, the legendary broadcaster Leonard Mambo Mbotela shared the unexpected origin story of his iconic radio show, "Je, Huu ni Ungwana?" (Is This Good Manners?). The setting was the prestigious Panafric Hotel in Nairobi, a haunt for the elite, where Mbotela and his colleagues had settled in for a weekend drink.   The fateful moment came when one of Mbotela's friends began loudly...

Nestled at the junction of Ngong’ Road and Raila Odinga Road, Nairobi City Mortuary has served as the epicenter for death care in Kenya's bustling capital for over a century. This institution, once known for its grim reputation, has evolved significantly, reflecting Nairobi's own transformation from a colonial railway town to a modern metropolis.   The Early Days Founded in the early 20th...

  General Joseph Ndolo, the first Kenyan Chief of General Staff (CGS), was not just a military leader but also the mastermind behind a daring coup plot against President Jomo Kenyatta in 1971. The plan was audacious: to assassinate Kenyatta and install Chief Justice Kitili Mwendwa, Kenya's first indigenous Chief Justice, as the new president. This coup was to be executed on a day Kenyatta was to...

Mar-a-Lago in 1985:   A 126-room mansion that no one wanted. Donald Trump then acquired it for $7 million, an estate that initially drained finances for years. However, Trump's visionary approach transformed it into a lucrative venture, raking in $40 million annually.   The Legacy of Mar-a-Lago:   Originally constructed in the 1920s by Marjorie Merriweather Post, the cereal heiress,...

Nestled on Kimathi Street in the heart of Nairobi's bustling CBD, the Nation Centre stands as buth a landmark and a testament to cultural inspiration. This building, with its striking design, has caught the eyes of many, not just for its functionality but for its unique embodiment of traditional African aesthetics. Back in the mid-1990s when the Nation Centre was built, you could spot its unique twin...

In the corridors of power in Kenya, certain individuals have emerged who wield influence far beyond their official titles. Two such figures, though from different eras, share striking similarities in their roles and impact on the presidencies they served: Farouk Kibet under President William Ruto and Wanyoike Thungu during the time of President Jomo Kenyatta. This article explores these parallels,...

It seems that just about every sizeable city in Europe enjoyed a heyday as an economic powerhouse at some point in its history. Bruges’ time was from the 12th to the 15th centuries, when its coastal location and canal system made it one of the most important commercial centres of the continent. Today, the Renaissance-era architecture and canal system are still intact, adding much to the appeal of a town...

It was the original home of Allsopps Pilsner and White Cap. It was built in 1938 by Taylor and Company Brewery. Taylor and Company Brewery was the main competitor to Kenya Breweries, which had been established in Nairobi’s Ruaraka plains in 1922 by George and Charles Hurst — the two brothers who were initially based in Kitale as farmers. Allsopps Brewery, as Taylor and Company was later known,...

Here's the intriguing story of how this savvy businessman turned his dreams into billions. Gerald Gikonyo, a legendary figure in Kenya's business world, dominated the scene for decades. From rags to riches, Gikonyo's journey is truly awe-inspiring. Back in the 1930s, Gikonyo had his sights set on Nairobi, determined to provide for his family. Alongside his now-deceased friend Gerishon Kirima, he hustled...

On February 16, 1990, the body of Foreign Affairs minister Dr Robert Ouko - who had been missing for four days following a trip with then President Daniel arap Moi to the USA - was found, mutilated and burnt, in a thicket near Got Alila Hill, four kilometres from his Koru home, in Nyanza.   Ouko's death was announced to the nation by Moi, who expressed his "profound sorrow". A couple of days...

Until recent pase, Kenya's Boni forest was an oasis of peace occupied by the Aweer, a nomadic hunter-gatherer community. The poor, sandy soils and unreliable rainfall rendered this dry lowland forest on Africa's east coast unsuitable for agriculture, and the ubiquitous tsetse fly meant pastoralists were averse to grazing their cows or camels in this remote corner of Kenya. So, the Aweer, also known as...

Kenyatta House located in Maralal, Samburu County in Northern Kenya is a simple house; yet, it holds a lot of historical significance to Kenya’s independence and governance. The three bedroom bungalow is where Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s founding father and first president, was partly held in detention by the British colonial government after being transferred from Lodwar prison. Kenyatta had been...