Nairobi’s Murals Speak Louder Than Paint — The Hidden Stories Behind the City’s Art Revolution
Nairobi’s Central Business District has become a vibrant canvas of color and meaning, as towering murals transform ordinary buildings into storytelling landmarks. What began as part of the county’s beautification programme has evolved into a cultural movement — one that fuses art, identity, and social reflection. From the City Market murals to the breathtaking transformation of ExTelecoms House along Haile Selassie Avenue, these works carry messages far deeper than their visual appeal.
The City Market murals, launched in 2021 and completed in April 2022, were guided by Edward Ndekere, a Fine Art and Design lecturer at Kenyatta University. Funded by the National Government’s Department for Housing and Urban Development, the project was designed to mirror President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big Four Agenda while celebrating African heritage. The art on the market represents what has been accomplished by the administration, Ndekere explained, noting that the intricate African patterns woven into the designs serve as reminders of Kenya’s cultural pride and progress.
Meanwhile, the ExTelecoms House mural, coordinated by artist Victor Mwangi and executed using over 7,000 litres of paint, has earned its place as the largest mural in East and Central Africa — and the fourth largest in Africa. Its powerful imagery tells layered stories: a woman balancing a pineapple on her head while holding a slice in her hand symbolizes the balance between hard work and life’s small pleasures. Another panel shows schoolgirls running in black rubber shoes, representing shared struggles and unity among Kenyan women. A soaring dove crowns the building, symbolizing hope and growth through life’s stages.
The most striking of all is the triple-generation mural depicting a young girl, a modern woman, and a traditionally dressed elder — a powerful symbol of diversity, evolution, and acceptance. According to the creatives behind Talent House, the mural encourages harmony in diversity, emphasizing that people of all backgrounds and beliefs deserve equal opportunities to thrive.
Across Nairobi, murals like these — including Eliud Kipchoge’s No Human Is Limited artwork along Kenyatta Avenue — are redefining urban space. They not only beautify the city but also remind residents that every brushstroke tells a story of resilience, culture, and the boundless spirit of Nairobi’s people.