Nairobi is often casually referred to as Shamba la Mawe (a farm full of stones), owing to its endless rows and streets of concrete and plaster. However, for the city’s youthful, exuberant, and restless generation, the endless concrete represents more than just that; they’re canvases that portray Nairobi’s heartbeat. From the alleys in Kibera to the vibrant streets of Ngara, graffiti and art are awash, turning Nairobi into an open-air gallery. The murals in place highlight different stories that employ vivid imagery with color and bold, courageous motifs that tell emotional, heartfelt stories and, in some instances, advocate for social change by calling out societal ills such as corruption, climate justice, and other issues plaguing the city
Graffiti as Protest: Calling Out Corruption
Ngara’s Ex-Telecom House is a testament to this unique art and social movement. Its artist, Viktart Mwangi, uses its towering walls to paint colorful murals that scream defiance against systemic corruption. One striking piece depicts a hyena in a suit, a nod to the Kenyan slang for greedy politicians, its jaws dripping with proceeds of runaway corruption. This imagery resonates deeply in a city where matatu art, in all its flamboyance and pop-culture-laden minibuses, has long been a mobile canvas for social commentary. The hyena is a recurring motif in Nairobi’s street art that symbolizes the betrayal of public trust, a visual jab at the “Ma-Vulture” campaigns of 2012 that called out corrupt leaders.
Murals for Climate Justice
Climate justice has also found a reliable mouthpiece on Nairobi’s walls. Informal settlements like Mathare are home to the Maasai Mbili collective paint murals that mourn deforestation and pollution. One piece features the lilac-breasted roller, Kenya’s national bird, perched on a withered branch, a poignant, constant reminder of environmental loss. These works echo the city’s matatu slogans like Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi (Justice be the shield and defender), urging unity and collective action for sustainability. By blending traditional symbols, like the Bata Ngoma shoes, a regular feature on Kenyan women’s feet, with modern cries for eco-justice, artists create a dialogue that bridges generations and neighborhoods.
Walls of Unity and Peace
Nairobi’s graffiti scene is a bold statement that screams activism. Collectives like BSQ Crew and Graffiti Girls Kenya, born from the British Council’s WAPI events in 2006, have turned walls into platforms for the marginalized. In Kibera, murals from the “Walls for Peace” project, led by artists like Bankslave, declare Kabila langu ni Mkenya (My tribe is Kenya), calling for the abstinence of tribalism and advocating unity. These pieces are often painted under the cover of night to evade censorship by the establishment and have since transformed public spaces into spheres for debate, challenging passersby to confront uncomfortable truths.
A Unique Nairobi Aesthetic
The city’s street art also embraces Nairobi’s unique aesthetic. From the vibrant shweshwe patterns inspired by East African textiles to the bold lines of grafikali style, artists like Thufu-B and Msale infuse their work with local flavor. Their murals, whether on the Nairobi Railway Museum’s walls or Muthurwa Market’s fences, turn urban decayed eyesores into vibrant and eye candy storytelling. This fusion of art and advocacy has positioned Nairobi’s streets on the global stage, drawing eyes to a city where walls don’t just stand. They speak, provoke, and inspire.
Nairobi as a Living Gallery
Nairobi’s walls do more than decorate the city; they tell stories of resilience, justice, and identity. From Kibera’s “Walls for Peace” to Ngara’s bold murals that challenge corruption, every corner speaks to a movement bigger than art. Discover these cultural expressions firsthand and experience how Nairobi’s streets double as galleries and voices for change.
Plan your art-inspired city experience with Visit Nairobi Kenya, your guide to tours, stays, and authentic adventures that connect you to the city’s living canvas.