Key Takeaways
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A nonprofit organization has successfully restored historic public libraries in Nairobi into vibrant civic hubs offering free internet, cultural programs, and meals.
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Community members actively shape the renewed spaces by requesting specific resources like arts programs, digital literacy classes, and books by African authors.
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The revitalized libraries have served over 192,000 direct users, boosted patronage by more than 240 percent, and created 93 local jobs.
Rebuilding civic infrastructure for a new generation
When Sunil Totti needed a reliable place to prepare for a major job interview, he thought of the local Eastlands Library. Home internet and power in his neighborhood were often unpredictable. Fortunately, he found reassurance. He realized, “I know a place where I can go.” The library provided him with a quiet environment, internet access, and a community of supportive peers.
Totti, who graduated in 2023, is pursuing a career in fintech. He remembers the Eastlands Library of his youth as a “very old and dusty place” that he usually avoided. Now, he spends most of his week there. He says, “This is where I work, actually.”
This revitalization is the vision of a nonprofit organization founded in 2017 by writer Wanjiru Koinange and publisher Angela Wachuka. They have successfully restored the Eastlands and Kaloleni libraries, and work is currently underway at the historic McMillan Memorial library. Their goal is to create free civic hubs for culture, skills training, and community connection.
Expanding access to knowledge and opportunity
The restored libraries operate through a partnership where the Nairobi City Council owns the buildings and provides staff, while the nonprofit raises funds and runs programs. Residents actively shape the spaces. They asked for “more arts, plants and chill zones” during community consultations, and they continue to select books through wish lists.
Cultural scholar Dr. Kimani Njogu highlights the welcoming atmosphere of the updated spaces. He says, “You can actually go to a Book Bunk library and have fun.” He adds, “It doesn’t have to be all about school.”
The initiative also prioritizes representation. The nonprofit has cataloged thousands of books, adding numerous titles by African authors and converting texts into Braille and audio formats. Njogu notes, “Often books by African authors are too expensive for African libraries to buy.” The addition of recorded oral histories has helped build a “dynamic space for knowledge production and consumption.”
Measurable growth and future plans
The libraries have seen incredible demand, reporting over 192,000 direct users. Patronage has risen by more than 240 percent, and the revival has created 93 jobs. For users like Totti, the libraries offer a foundation for the future. Totti explains, “It is not actually the space alone.” He says, “For me, it was like a game changer.” He adds that his new opportunities mean “at least I’m starting to become stable financially.”
With thousands of libraries mapped nationwide, the founders hope to provide a blueprint for restoration across Kenya and potentially other regions. For Totti, the impact is already profound. He says the space allowed him “to grow as a person.” He concludes, “It’s the best thing that has happened to my life.”
