Principal Secretary for Culture, the Arts, and Heritage, Ummi Mohamed Bashir has launched a photo gallery at the GTC Towers that offers a captivating visual journey through the history of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, from the 1800s to its vibrant modern era.

The gallery boasts an impressive collection of over 500 images that promise visitors an immersive experience, shedding light on the rich history and evolution of Nairobi city.

The gallery launch was officiated by Principal Secretary for Culture, the Arts, and Heritage, Ummi Mohamed Bashir at a ceremony attended by dozens of high-profile dignitaries among them Nairobi County CECM for Inclusivity, Public Participation, and Public Service Dr Anastasia Nyalita who represented Governor Johnson Sakaja.

Creative economy

The unique gallery, which traces Nairobi’s transformation from the 1800s to the present, represents a celebration of our creative economy. It also serves as a platform for recognising and rewarding talented photographers who draw inspiration from luminaries such as Mo Amin.

“I commend GTC for creating this gallery, which serves as both a historical and cultural archive, enabling us to cherish our city and our country’s rich heritage,” stated PS Ummi Bashir during the gallery’s launch.

The walls of GTC Towers, the GTC Mall, and various strategic locations within GTC are adorned with iconic photographs showcasing Nairobi’s history.

“I am particularly delighted to see that some of the displayed photos in the gallery were contributed by our talented youth, some of whom have skilfully recreated historical images, bridging the past and the present,” she added during the colourful event attended by distinguished guests.

Dr Nyalita on her part said, “The gallery is of utmost importance for our country and city as it beautifully showcases the remarkable transformation of Nairobi while preserving our rich history.”

She added “This gallery launch aligns perfectly well with the vibrant and dynamic spirit of our city as we prepare for the Nairobi Festival set for next month.”

The gallery is a culmination of an online photo competition that garnered thousands of submissions, with winners selected through a combination of expert judgment and public voting.

GTC, developed with a global vision in Nairobi’s prime location, stands as a city landmark. It encompasses a 603-ft (184-m) office tower, the prestigious JW Marriott Luxury 5-Star Hotel, an opulent apartment community, and a boutique mall.

Gallery’s location

Gong Yuxian, the General Manager of Avic International (the developers of GTC), highlighted their choice of the iconic towers as the gallery’s location, emphasising Nairobi’s rich history that deserves to be documented.

“The success of this gallery launch owes much to the enthusiastic participation and dedication of the contestants in the online photo campaign, which resonated widely with the public. We are also grateful to our partners for their support,” he noted.

During the launch on Friday, several winners were awarded top prizes, including high-end cameras, TVs, mobile phones, and plane tickets among others.

“We encourage more and more visitors to explore the gallery and gain a deeper appreciation of Nairobi’s rich history. That’s precisely why we established it in public spaces,” Gong Yuxian said,