Nairobi’s new chapter: These women are restoring and reclaiming Kenya’s dilapidated, colonial-era libraries

By Cai Pigliucci, CNN
Published 9:14 PM EST, Mon November 29, 2021
Book Bunk was founded in 2017 to restore dilapidated libraries in Nairobi, Kenya. The Eastlands Library (pictured) is one of two libraries the team has transformed already, with a third in the works. "Libraries are one of the last kind of mutual spaces we have in any society," says Book Bunk co-founder Wanjiru Koinange.
Photos: Book Bunk is bringing these old Kenyan libraries back to life
Nick Migwi/CNN
Book Bunk was founded in 2017 to restore dilapidated libraries in Nairobi, Kenya. The Eastlands Library (pictured) is one of two libraries the team has transformed already, with a third in the works. "Libraries are one of the last kind of mutual spaces we have in any society," says Book Bunk co-founder Wanjiru Koinange.
The Kaloleni Library, pictured here in 2018 before renovation, is one of the busiest in the city. Across all three libraries, about 300 people use the spaces to work or study every day. But with asbestos, old furniture and broken floorboards, the team at Book Bunk had their work cut out for them.
Photos: Book Bunk is bringing these old Kenyan libraries back to life
Courtesy Paul Kariuki Munene
The Kaloleni Library, pictured here in 2018 before renovation, is one of the busiest in the city. Across all three libraries, about 300 people use the spaces to work or study every day. But with asbestos, old furniture and broken floorboards, the team at Book Bunk had their work cut out for them.
Before Book Bunk restored the building, there was little running water and the bathrooms did not function at the Eastlands Library in Nairobi's Makadara neighborhood.
Photos: Book Bunk is bringing these old Kenyan libraries back to life
Courtesy Paul Kariuki Munene
Before Book Bunk restored the building, there was little running water and the bathrooms did not function at the Eastlands Library in Nairobi's Makadara neighborhood.
"It just looked like a really old forgotten place that had at one point in history received lots of love, but then it just kind of stopped," Koinange says.
Photos: Book Bunk is bringing these old Kenyan libraries back to life
Courtesy Paul Kariuki Munene
"It just looked like a really old forgotten place that had at one point in history received lots of love, but then it just kind of stopped," Koinange says.
Book Bunk set to work transforming the spaces. The group added reading nooks, new shelving and seating areas, including the ones seen here at Kaloleni, pictured in June 2020 before the books were returned to the shelves. "It's incredible what a bit of paint and some care will do for public spaces in this country," says Koinange.
Photos: Book Bunk is bringing these old Kenyan libraries back to life
Courtesy Paul Kariuki Munene
Book Bunk set to work transforming the spaces. The group added reading nooks, new shelving and seating areas, including the ones seen here at Kaloleni, pictured in June 2020 before the books were returned to the shelves. "It's incredible what a bit of paint and some care will do for public spaces in this country," says Koinange.
The team also put in new outdoor spaces, complete with fresh grass and gardens, that can accommodate an overflow of people when the library gets cramped with readers. They installed contemporary art in the courtyard at the Eastland Library to add some funky flair.
Photos: Book Bunk is bringing these old Kenyan libraries back to life
Courtesy Paul Kariuki Munene
The team also put in new outdoor spaces, complete with fresh grass and gardens, that can accommodate an overflow of people when the library gets cramped with readers. They installed contemporary art in the courtyard at the Eastland Library to add some funky flair.
The Kaloleni Library now has a dedicated children's library. But across the libraries' collections, Book Bunk noticed the Africanist collection was lacking. "We'd like to build a special collection that favors writing by and about Africans, the Black experience, the diaspora," says Book Bunk's other co-founder, Angela Wachuka. The team is adding to the collection -- Book Bunk has the East African publishing rights to "Sulwe," a children's book by Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o.
Photos: Book Bunk is bringing these old Kenyan libraries back to life
Courtesy Paul Kariuki Munene
The Kaloleni Library now has a dedicated children's library. But across the libraries' collections, Book Bunk noticed the Africanist collection was lacking. "We'd like to build a special collection that favors writing by and about Africans, the Black experience, the diaspora," says Book Bunk's other co-founder, Angela Wachuka. The team is adding to the collection -- Book Bunk has the East African publishing rights to "Sulwe," a children's book by Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o.
Wachuka and Koinange are now fundraising to renovate Nairobi's central McMillan Memorial Library. Opened in 1931 by Lucie McMillan for her husband, Sir William Northrup McMillan, the library was only accessible to White colonizers until 1962. "It has its own ghosts, just in terms of Kenyans feeling that it's not quite theirs fully -- it wasn't built for them. We were not allowed to come into this building until just before independence," says Wachuka.
Photos: Book Bunk is bringing these old Kenyan libraries back to life
Courtesy Paul Kariuki Munene
Wachuka and Koinange are now fundraising to renovate Nairobi's central McMillan Memorial Library. Opened in 1931 by Lucie McMillan for her husband, Sir William Northrup McMillan, the library was only accessible to White colonizers until 1962. "It has its own ghosts, just in terms of Kenyans feeling that it's not quite theirs fully -- it wasn't built for them. We were not allowed to come into this building until just before independence," says Wachuka.
At the McMillan Library, some of the country's rare historical documents were housed in a basement prone to flooding. A team of 23 worked to digitize and preserve historical documents such as photographs, maps and letters.
Photos: Book Bunk is bringing these old Kenyan libraries back to life
Nick Migwi/CNN
At the McMillan Library, some of the country's rare historical documents were housed in a basement prone to flooding. A team of 23 worked to digitize and preserve historical documents such as photographs, maps and letters.
Book Bunk has now digitized 40,000 items, including glass plate negatives from the colonial era. It will begin collecting oral histories and community photographs to balance out the archives. "For too long our stories have been written by other people on our behalf," Koinange tells CNN. "So now let's begin to do the work to figure out what our story is and how we can share it as much as possible."
Photos: Book Bunk is bringing these old Kenyan libraries back to life
Nick Migwi/CNN
Book Bunk has now digitized 40,000 items, including glass plate negatives from the colonial era. It will begin collecting oral histories and community photographs to balance out the archives. "For too long our stories have been written by other people on our behalf," Koinange tells CNN. "So now let's begin to do the work to figure out what our story is and how we can share it as much as possible."
Due to its historical significance, Book Bunk will work closely with the government and museums to renovate the McMillan Memorial Library. "It would have been (easy) for us to walk into McMillan and say, 'Get rid of everything. Get rid of all of the portraits of McMillan. Get rid of the books that call us barbarians and the books that treat us like we're nothing more than anthropological beings,'" Koinange says. "But it's more important to examine that history, because it's ours. We can't get rid of it."
Photos: Book Bunk is bringing these old Kenyan libraries back to life
Courtesy Paul Kariuki Munene
Due to its historical significance, Book Bunk will work closely with the government and museums to renovate the McMillan Memorial Library. "It would have been (easy) for us to walk into McMillan and say, 'Get rid of everything. Get rid of all of the portraits of McMillan. Get rid of the books that call us barbarians and the books that treat us like we're nothing more than anthropological beings,'" Koinange says. "But it's more important to examine that history, because it's ours. We can't get rid of it."
The McMillan renovation is a large undertaking, but the team says they won't stop there. "Hopefully we can be having Book Bunk trusts open all over the continent," Koinange says, "because that's my dream."
Photos: Book Bunk is bringing these old Kenyan libraries back to life
Courtesy Paul Kariuki Munene
The McMillan renovation is a large undertaking, but the team says they won't stop there. "Hopefully we can be having Book Bunk trusts open all over the continent," Koinange says, "because that's my dream."
CNN  — 

Libraries in Nairobi, Kenya, are getting a makeover thanks to two women who are hoping to turn the page on the past – creating a new future both for the books inside the libraries and the communities around them.

Book Bunk, founded in 2017 by publisher Angela Wachuka and author Wanjiru Koinange, is a non-profit organization working to restore libraries across the city by updating everything from the physical infrastructure to the book collections. The team has also helped transform the libraries into spaces for events that encourage thought and celebrate writing, including hosting the Nairobi Literature Festival.

“We’ve really asked a lot of questions about what libraries are, what they can be, and what’s stopping them from getting to the point where they can fully serve communities,” said Koinange.

The main hall of the Eastlands Library before and after renovation.

Courtesy Paul Kariuki Munene

The formerly dilapidated buildings are haunted by the ghosts of a not-so-distant past. Kenya, which had been under British rule since 1895, was named an official colony in 1920 and remained that way for more than 40 years.

McMillan Memorial Library is the city’s oldest library, and Book Bunk’s latest project. Built in 1931, only White European colonizers were allowed to enter the space for the next three decades,

Even the name of the library recalls its history. It was commissioned by Lady Lucie McMillan and dedicated as a memorial to her husband, British American settler Sir William Northrup McMillan. Past the lions guarding the front entrance (placed there in reference to McMillan’s fascination with lions), the books within the library also serve as striking reminders of the times.

“When you look at the collection, it reflects a certain kind of ideology – a very problematic one,” said Wachuka.

"I think that libraries are great equalizers," says Book Bunk co-founder Angela Wachuka.
"I think that libraries are great equalizers," says Book Bunk co-founder Angela Wachuka.
Nick Migwi/CNN

In 2018, Book Bunk established a partnership with Nairobi’s local government that allows the team to lead restoration efforts in the city’s libraries. Book Bunk, which relies on donors and partnerships to fund its projects, has a dedicated staff of paid and volunteer workers.

Updating a colonial collection

Wachuka and Koinange, along with 30 interns, worked over a period of nine months at the McMillan Memorial Library to catalogue 137,705 books – mainly acquired from British colonizers. They are now combing through the material to decide which ones will stay.

“The texts in here don’t reflect who we are but are an important part of understanding how we have been viewed throughout history,” said Wachuka.

The outdoor terrace of the Eastlands Library before and after renovation.

Courtesy Paul Kariuki Munene

The McMillan Library is Book Bunk’s third library restoration project. The team has already restored Eastlands Library in eastern Nairobi and the more central Kaloleni Library. They are now working to digitize books and archival content like periodicals that will make access to history a click away.

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While sorting through the shelves, they noticed a sizable gap at all three libraries: the lack of an Africanist collection.

“I’m 100% sure that if we had books on the shelves that reflected people’s needs, then we’d have them flying off the shelves,” said Koinange.

"(Libraries) are a place where you can access anything you need. It doesn't matter who you are," says Book Bunk co-founder Wanjiru Koinange.
"(Libraries) are a place where you can access anything you need. It doesn't matter who you are," says Book Bunk co-founder Wanjiru Koinange.
Nick Migwi/CNN

The organization plans to add books by and about Africans, the diaspora, and the Black experience. The team also publishes books, including the East African version of Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o’s children’s book “Sulwe,” available in English, Swahili, and Luo (a language spoken mainly by the Luo people, the fourth-largest ethnic group in Kenya).

A welcoming space to gather

The surrounding communities use the libraries as workspaces, with about 300 people across the locations accessing them every day, according to Koinange. Before Book Bunk restored them, Kaloleni and Eastlands had no running water or workable bathrooms, and McMillan had a barely functioning electrical system, forcing the library to close when the sun set.

Even before revamping the libraries, Book Bunk spent months surveying local communities to find out what services would be most useful. People requested Wi-Fi, updated bathrooms, extended opening hours, community spaces and fun activities.

The main area of the Kaloleni Library before and after renovation.

Courtesy Paul Kariuki Munene

Koinange and Wachuka listened. Kaloleni now has a dedicated children’s library and at Eastlands, a funky space filled with art and complete with a stage for performances – including a recent set featuring Kenyan singer and songwriter Sanaipei Tande, recorded as part of the Nairobi Literature Festival.

Book Bunk is currently working to create outdoor spaces at the libraries and updating infrastructure, from installing Wi-Fi to clearing asbestos in the walls. And while there is still the lingering feeling that they are restoring a space that was never intended for them, Koinange believes it is important to stand up to history and leave something better for posterity.

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“I think there’s an erasure that we’re very quick to do as Kenyans when things are painful. That is not useful, because if you erase it, then you kind of forget it, and it happens over and over again,” she said. “(Instead), you stare it in the face and be like, ‘We’re going to make you beautiful again.’ You’re going to find a way to restore not just the building, but what the building means for Kenyans, (and) that is a lot more lasting.”

Briana Duggan contributed to this story.