About Book Bunk
Book Bunk is a Nairobi based non profit organization that was founded in October 2017 with the mission to restore and transform public libraries. It’s formation is rooted in a love for literature and storytelling, and the belief that art is a major catalyst for transformational social change. Book Bunk envisions libraries as the homes of a people’s intellectual wealth – places where we can go to learn about who we are; and as centres where art and artistic practice can be nurtured and celebrated. The organisation’s flagship projects are the restoration of the McMillan Memorial Library, Eastlands Library and Kaloleni Library, with the last two now fully restored. Our approach to restoration involves transforming the physical, digital, social and experiential collections of our project libraries.
About The Missing Bits
Since 2019, Book Bunk has been safeguarding McMillan Memorial Libraries’ collections. This involved creating the first ever digital collection of the library, digitising and publishing this rare collection and repairing the physical volumes. However, as we created the digital archive, we quickly realised that the voices and stories of the communities using these libraries were missing, therefore creating an incomplete view of our heritage. The Missing Bits project seeks to address this by building a crowd-sourced audio and image archive, capturing diverse stories. The public is invited to the libraries to record conversations and digitise their own collections, thereby enriching the archive with their perspectives.
The Missing Bits: Season I
For our inaugural season of The Missing Bits, we examined the existing archive of the McMillan Memorial Library and assessed the specific topics and themes that were lacking a local Kenyan perspective. We then asked the public to visit any of Book Bunk’s three project libraries to contribute paper based archival content from the personal collections, as well as to record audio stories that captured reflections and memories from the past. This happened alongside a public exhibition of the library’s archival content which allowed visitors to experience the archive and understand why it needed their voice! The response was great! We received stories about Kenya’s independence, about the genesis of the transportation systems in Nakuru, as well as several submissions about music, culture and fashion!
Dr. Anne Kamau explores Nakuru’s public transport history and potential as a model for organised transport. While vibrant, with matatus, motorcycles, and a revamped railway, challenges like congestion and limited non-motorized transport remain. She advocates for modern solutions, loop services and greater inclusion of women and people with disabilities.
History of Public Transport in Nakuru
Dorothy Kweyu, a seasoned journalist, reflects on her journey in journalism and Kenya’s evolving media landscape. Raised in a devout Catholic family, she considered joining a convent before studying literature and linguistics in Nairobi. Starting her career in 1978, she emphasises challenges faced as a female journalist and her dedication to social justice and mentorship.
Media and Journalism Ft. Dorothy Kweyu
Patrick Khaemba, former Director of Education, reflects on Kenya’s National Drama Festival, which started in 1959 and evolved to include diverse genres like cultural dances and film. The festival now spans primary to tertiary institutions, promoting artistic expression, national unity and African languages while fostering individual growth and documentation.
Drama Festival Ft. Patrick Khaemba
Stella Nduba reflects on her fashion journey growing up in 1960s-70s Nairobi. Influenced by her stylish mother, she gravitated towards simple, practical clothing. Dresses and school shoes stood out, while jeans became her college staple. Prioritising comfort and plainness, she prefers understated fashion over bold trends, valuing functionality over flashiness.
Fashion and Style Ft. Stella Nduba
Mrs. Mucharie reflects on her fashion journey growing up in 1960s-70s Nairobi, influenced by her mother’s style and magazines like *Ebony*. As a teen, she embraced platform shoes, flared trousers and modest dresses, later experimenting with turquoise and popular trends in her 20s. Affordability and cultural influences shaped her choices.
Fashion Ft. Viola Mucharie
Betty Gatere reflects on her 1960s fashion influences, from her mother’s stylish outfits to a favourite crimplene trouser suit and African print dress. High school saw bell bottoms and platform shoes inspired by Donna Summer, while university brought casual jeans. She emphasises how culture, media and modesty shaped her fashion choices.
Fashion in the 1960s Ft. Betty Gatere
Charles Mirikau reflects on 1980s and early 90s fashion, influenced by pop culture and musicians like Earth, Wind & Fire. His iconic look featured platform shoes, bell-bottoms, tight shirts, and an afro. After moving to Nairobi, his style evolved to casual wear, while he observed trends like women wearing trousers and men adopting braided hairstyles.
Fashion in the 1980s & Early 90s
Joyce Nyairo recalls growing up in 1960s-1980s Nairobi, a city with few cars, reliable Kenya Bus Service (KBS) and accessible green spaces. Living in Jamhuri, she enjoyed a carefree childhood. As Nairobi developed, she reflected on the rise of matatus, curfews post-1982 coup and the changing social dynamics and communal spirit.
History of Nairobi Ft. Dr. Joyce Nyairo
Hannah Wangari Morikwa reflects on her journey from Mukurweini to becoming a teacher, inspired by her father’s emphasis on education. After attending Kiang’ondu Primary and Ngandu Girls, she considered becoming a nun before choosing marriage and teaching. She critiques Kenya’s evolving education system, emphasising the decline in values and practical skills.
Education Ft. Hannah Wangari
Wangari Ngovi reflects on her journey into librarianship, rooted in her childhood love for reading and access to church libraries. She highlights the growth of Kenya’s public library system since its establishment in 1965, emphasising the shift from academic materials to ebooks and diverse topics. Wangari advocates for promoting local languages in libraries, inspired by South Africa’s multilingual education approach.
Library Services Ft. Wangari Ngovi
Josphat Mwaura reflects on growing up in 1950s-60s Kenya, starting in Nyahururu before moving to Githunguri after the 1952 emergency. He recalls a simpler time of good neighborliness and vivid memories of the Mau Mau struggle, his father’s role as a colonial police officer, and his educational journey to Kenya Breweries.
Life in the 1950s & 60s
Peter Kinyanjui reflects on his colonial-era upbringing in Kenya, starting school at 13 in an independent Kikuyu school. After studying electrical engineering at Kabete Technical School, he worked at Kenya Railways. He discusses post-independence challenges like tribalism and emphasises the importance of discipline and education for both genders in technical fields.
Life in the 1960s & 70s
Monica Wanjiku Mwangi reflects on her dynamic life growing up in Kenya and abroad, influenced by global fashion trends of the 1970s and 80s, including bell bottoms and afros. Inspired by her stylish mother and musicians like Janet Jackson, she later embraced African designs, emphasising fashion as self-expression free from colonial influence.
Fashion Ft. Monica Mwangi
Dr. Margaret Ndwiga discusses Kenya’s population growth since the 1960s, highlighting cultural factors like early marriage and large families that led to high fertility rates, averaging eight children per woman. She emphasises the positive impact of women’s education on reducing fertility and improving health.
Population Growth in Kenya ft. Dr Margret
Dr. Zacharia Samita discusses the rise of Pentecostalism in Kenya during the 1970s and 1980s, spurred by Western missionaries and local evangelists like Joe Kayo. Pentecostal churches grew, especially among youth, embracing non-traditional worship spaces. He contrasts this movement with mainstream churches and notes the increasing intersection of religion and politics in Kenya.
Religion Ft. Zacharia Samita
Susan Ngatia reflects on her fashion journey from childhood in Makueni and Machakos to her 20s in Nairobi. Influenced by her cousin’s calm style and Lucky Dube’s reggae, she embraced long dresses and conservative styles, later experimenting with braids, bright colours and unique outfits, feeling empowered by her distinct expression.
Fashion Ft. Susan Ngatia
Teddy Warria reflects on his upbringing in Buruburu, Nairobi, and his diverse education journey. Born in 1978, he attended Lenana School before studying in the U.S. at Bard College and Princeton. Involved in ventures like co-authoring “Africa 2.0 Manifesto,” he remains passionate about education, technology and Africa’s future.
Mentorship Ft. Teddy Waria
Joseph Muchariie reflects on his fashion journey from childhood in Murang’a, where he wore no shoes and a khaki uniform, to school life in Nanyuki and Nairobi. His wardrobe evolved with formal uniforms and functional styles at university. Fond memories include experimenting with shirt styles and adopting hats for sun protection.
Fashion Ft. Joseph Muchariie
Wanjiru Ngige reflects on her Nairobi upbringing, influenced by her architect mother’s spatial awareness. She observes the city’s changing infrastructure, diminishing green spaces, and pollution. Wanjiru explores Nairobi’s vibrant music scene, contrasts it with the present and shares painful stories of the Mau Mau struggle and its lasting impact on families and land.
Western Influnce & Other stories Ft. Wanjiru Ngige
The Missing Bits: Season II
In 2022, Book Bunk completed the architectural assessments needed to solidify the plans for the restoration of the McMillan Memorial Library, Nairobi’s oldest public library. These assessments allowed us to access a treasure trove of information about the architecture of the building. We learned lots about the history of the stone used on the building; about its antique furniture and about the library’s rare book collection; but not enough about the experiences of those who used or were barred from using the library over the course of its 90 year history. So, this season of the Missing Bits hoped to capture images, documents, memories, experiences, and recollections from people who used or interacted with the McMillan Memorial Library in the past, specifically between the 1930’s and 1990’s.
Evans Kihiu reflects on his educational journey growing up in Lower Kabete, Kenya. Born in 1945, he attended Kabete Primary School and trained at Thogoto Teacher Training College. He faced challenges, including a disrupted school exam and later studied Graphic Design at the State University of New York, emphasising the importance of education and teachers.
Evans Kihiu
Jane Gatwiri, a journalist at Nation Media Group, discusses creating a documentary about McMillan Memorial Library for the travel show *Twende*. She explored the library’s colonial-era significance, discovering artefacts like old newspapers and furniture. Gatwiri emphasises the importance of preserving such landmarks and the vital role libraries play in journalism and research.
Jane Gatwiri
Dr. Justus Makokha, a Kenyatta University lecturer, reflects on his bi-ethnic identity and academic journey, sparked by a childhood love for books in Eldoret. He values McMillan Memorial Library for its role in his studies and emphasises libraries’ importance in fostering a reading culture, suggesting mobile services and digitisation for broader accessibility.
Dr Justus Makokha
Mwalimu Wilfred Kiarie Ndiho reflects on his educational journey and experiences with McMillan Memorial Library. Born in 1928, he attended Kabete Primary and Alliance High School before becoming a teacher. Ndiho credits the library’s resources for his independent study for Cambridge A-Level exams, emphasising education’s importance and the need for more libraries.
Mwalimu Wilfred Ndiho
Shukri Wachu, a multimedia journalist, reflects on his experience with McMillan Memorial Library while creating a historical documentary in 2018 for K24 TV. He explored the library’s colonial origins and architectural significance, discovering century-old newspapers and first-edition African literature. Shukri emphasises the need for financial support to preserve Kenya’s heritage
Shukri Wachu
Wangari Ngovi, former Deputy Director of the Kenya National Library Service, reflects on her experiences with McMillan Memorial Library, beginning with a high school visit in 1979. She emphasises the need to preserve historical collections and digitise resources while advocating for technology integration to make libraries relevant for younger generations and promote a stronger reading culture in Kenya.