I had seen the building known as the National Archives numerous times before, but I had no idea what is exhibited therein. Luckily, the door of the building in question was wide open. The best way to satisfy my curiosity was to visit.
At the reception, I was instructed to open an account on a government's portal known as eCitizen. The said portal is a one-stop platform that enables Kenyan citizens to access public services across the board. Foreign tourists, on the other hand, use it to book and pay for permits needed to access national parks, museums and other attractions owned by the government. Whilst local tour companies use their accounts to process their clients' permits, I needed a personal account because my stingy self opted to bypass tour operators throughout my exploration of Nairobi.
While in the building, I dissected rich heritage not only in Kenya but also in other parts of Africa. In addition, I revisited the past and put history into perspective. Furthermore, I was amazed by the discovery of an oasis of information.
The Murumbi Art Gallery showcases the cultural practices that define different ethnic groups in Kenya and elsewhere in Africa. The gallery contains artifacts collected by the second Vice President of Kenya, Joseph Murumbi. The art enthusiast served briefly as Vice President after the resignation of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in 1966. Following his own resignation, in the same year, President Jomo Kenyatta appointed Daniel Arap Moi as the 3rd Vice President of the Republic of Kenya.
In the historical section, I took a walk through the intriguing journey of the nation before colonialism, during the colonial occupation and after independence. As a tourist, it was important for me to learn as much as I could about the destination I was visiting.
In the research room, I was amazed by documentation of data through the years. The sea of information formed in this establishment is mind-boggling. It was after digesting the astonishing discoveries in this room when I understood why the building is known as the National Archives.