Hall where Jomo made famous settler speech to get a facelift
By KNA, May 23, 2023Nakuru’s iconic Old Town Hall is set for refurbishment.
This is the building where Kenya’s founding President Jomo Kenyatta met with settlers, four months before Kenya became independent from the British, and made the famous “we will forgive but not forget” speech.
Though skyscrapers pierce the sky and a lot has changed in the city, Nakuru Old Town Hall prominently stands out as the history behind the few architectural snippets the city has to offer.
Nakuru Old Town Hall is difficult to miss, probably because it stands out in a city that is mostly made up of glittering modern buildings. The one-storey building, situated at the edge of Kenyatta Avenue, was completed in 1945.
Currently occupied by the county’s Public Health and Enforcement Department, the building once served as the chambers of the Municipality’s mayor and the meeting room of civic leaders from 1947 to 1966.
Gazetted
Governor Susan Kihika’s administration has announced that the it will soon start the rehabilitation of the historic Old Town Hall, after the building’s roof collapsed last year.
“The building is very old, dating back to colonial days,” said Gitau Thabanja, the City Manager, noting that it has now been gazetted as a historical site.
He said the building has been closed to allow renovation, with the aim of preserving the city’s heritage.
“The Nakuru City Board has budgeted for the renovation that will commence with immediate effect. We are committed to the preservation and restoration of our heritage,” he said.
According to former Nakuru Mayor Kimunya Kamana, 95, the building is rich in history. Besides the famous speech, the hall was used by Kenyatta to sign a treaty with British colonialists in 1963.
“He assured the colonialists that no one would harass them and urged them not to be fearful because they would be allowed to live in the country,” said Kamana.
The Hall was gazetted with the Nairobi Cinema, the National Archives building in Nairobi and Menengai Town Hall in Nakuru town as historical buildings.
“We are committed to the preservation and restoration of our heritage,” said Thabanja.
Nakuru City Board vice chairperson Jepta Rono said the repair works will involve roofing, flooring and interior works, adding that preservation of the city’s buildings will result in a positive economic impact, particularly for the tourism sector.
“Properly maintained historical buildings that are aesthetically cohesive and well promoted, can be an important tourist attraction and in that way attract revenue,” observed Rono. Rono expressed regret that despite Nakuru’s rich architectural history, old buildings in the city were being pulled down at an alarming rate to pave way for new structures that announce the departure of the county from its historical moorings.
“What many seem to have conveniently forgotten is that these old buildings represent an irreplaceable heritage that is an important legacy of the present generation to the later ones, especially in terms of culture, aesthetics, educational, and inspirational benefits,” he stated.
Concrete jungle
Thabanja indicated that old buildings give a sense of cultural significance and allow residents to experience architecture in a different way.
“They serve as memorials, providing continuity to earlier times. One can tell a lot about a city from the history of its buildings, even about how a metropolis came to be. And preservation leads to increased dialogue among children, parents and grandparents regarding our ancestors and history,” noted the City Manager.
Thabanja indicated that old buildings further accentuate a city’s culture and character by keeping its distinguishing features.
“It is not Rome until you see the Colosseum, it is not the Vatican without St Peter’s Cathedral, nor is it Paris without the Eiffel Tower. Such is the significance of characteristic buildings to a city,” he added.
Thabanja warned that if the mindless destruction of old buildings continues, Kenya will soon change from a beautiful country, rich in aesthetics and heritage, to an impersonal concrete jungle.