Malindi-Watamu Vacay: Malindi Cultural Complex

Just behind Jamhuri Street within Malindi town lies The National Museum of Kenya that was gazetted as a National Monument in 1991 and opened to the public on 24th December 2013. The entrance here is Ksh 100.

Long time ago in the colonial days (story time), the building was known as “Old D.O’s Office, The Boma or Kwa Balozi” as it used to house offices on the ground floor and the living accommodations in the upper floor for the District Collector later the District Commissioner. The house was beautifully situated facing the sea with front steps leading to the beach. Constructed in the early 1890’s for the Imperial British East African Company which by British Royal Charter took over for 50years the Sultan of Zanzibar’s mainland concession from Kipini to Vanga.

Local sources relate the building was an Indian trader’s house purchased and enlarged by IBEACo. Mr J.BellSmith, an employee…