Relocation of the Kenya National Archives
For decades, the Kenya National Archives, located in the heart of Nairobi’s Central Business District, has served as a cultural landmark and an important resource for researchers and citizens. Housed in a historic building from the early 20th century, the archives contain over 40,000 volumes, feature the renowned Murumbi Gallery, and hold priceless documents from the colonial era that detail Kenya’s journey to independence.
On August 21, 2025, during a ceremony for the repatriation of more than 300,000 digitised colonial files from the United Kingdom, Culture and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Hanna Cheptumo and Principal Secretary Ummi Bashir announced the government’s plans to move the archives. This decision came in response to growing security concerns, especially after protests led by Gen Z, where demonstrators attempted to set the building on fire, exposing its vulnerability.
Ummi Bashir emphasised:
“We would like to see how we can safeguard our assets in this building and how we can take it to a place where researchers can be comfortable.”
Hanna Cheptumo added:
“In terms of moving, yes, that is a process. We want to ensure that we have a bigger and better place with parking and no noise.”
These comments highlight the government's commitment to preserving Kenya’s archival heritage while improving accessibility and safety for researchers.
Institutional Significance & Heritage
Established by an Act of Parliament in 1965, the National Archives and Documentation Service (KNADS) was tasked with consolidating and managing Kenya’s documentary heritage under the Vice-President’s office. It later moved to the Ministry of Heritage. The building, which was built in the early 1930s as a bank and acquired by the government after independence, now contains historical records, including policy documents, newspapers, and rare photographs, many dating back to the pre-colonial era.
The Call for Relocation
The government's relocation plan aims to address ongoing structural issues:
Protect fragile archival materials from damage due to unrest, congestion, or environmental threats.
Provide a quiet, well-equipped environment with plenty of parking, minimal noise, and better facilities.
Move from an old but cramped urban space to a site more suitable for modern archival work.
The plan to relocate the Kenya National Archives demonstrates a thoughtful approach to preserving heritage while modernising operations. By moving to a safer, quieter, and more accessible location, the government aims to protect valuable national records while providing a better research environment. The challenge now lies in finding the best site that honours the Archives’ legacy and enhances its functions.
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