In the heart of the Nairobi Central Business, stands the towering Nyayo House, a monumental building that has borne witness to the nation’s history.
With its bold presence and imposing architecture, Nyayo House has long held a significant role in Kenya’s political, cultural, and social narrative.
As recent events have thrust it back into the spotlight, the building’s story is more relevant than ever before.
On Thursday, August 24, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Thursday declared the Nyayo House passport centre a crime scene due to high rates of corruption sabotaging service delivery.
Appearing before the House Committee on Regional Integration, Kindiki singled out corrupt officials for impeding reforms.
“There are officers there who take bribes even though they are supposed to give Kenyans free services. I will clean up Nyayo House once and for all,” said Kindiki.
Kindiki said the backlog at Nyayo is due to corruption adding that even processing of National Identity (ID) Cards takes close to three years in some parts of the country.
The story of Nyayo House
The planning of Nyayo House building started in 1973 while the real construction commenced in 1979.
This was one year after Daniel arap Moi took over as the president of Kenya following the death of founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta in August 1978.
Additionally, the building was planned by the Ministry of Public Works, Ngotho Architects and constructed by Laxmanbhai Construction.
The government approximately Ksh. 218,608,377 to build Nyayo House.
Also, the original building was to be named Nairobi House before this was changed to Nyayo House.
The building of the house was completed in 1983, four years after commencement of the construction works.
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Its Location
Nyayo House is located at the junction of Uhuru Highway and Kenyatta Avenue.
It is an eighty-four meters high building with twenty-seven floors; however, the initial plan was to make fourteen storey building.
Currently, it hosts several government departments including immigration (the State Department for Immigration, Border Control, and Regulation of Persons).
Previously, Nyayo House served as the headquarters of the former Nairobi Province.
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Nyayo House Torture
Nyayo House is particularly known for its detention facilities in its basement, often called as “Nyayo House torture chambers”.
It is in these chambers where those opposed to the Moi government were tortured by Special Branch officials (currently called the National Security Intelligence Service).
Among the known Nyayo detainees include former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, George Anyona and Wahome Mutahi.
Others are Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia and Dr. Odhiambo Olel.
The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) investigated Nyayo House torture cases after the Moi regime and several victims including politician Koigi wa Wamwere were compensated.
Another detainee, musician Ochieng Kabaselleh died soon after he was released, allegedly due to injuries caused by torture. The late President Danie Moi was synonymous with the use of ‘Nyayo’.
In fact, the likes of the opposition chief Raila Odinga today still refer to him as Nyayo.
Nyayo is a Swahili word meaning footsteps. In political context, Moi used ‘fuata Nyayo’ to mean toeing the line.
It way a lifestyle and at Nyayo House, the man who ruled Kenya for 24 years with an iron fist, he crushed opponents.
