Mombasa Maritime Museum Reshapes Kenya's Historical Identity

Kenya's rich maritime history is now showcased at the new Maritime Museum in Mombasa.

The facility, located within the Port of Mombasa, covers approximately 800 square meters and promises a comprehensive exploration of Kenya's seafaring heritage. The museum's central exhibit is the Mtepe, a traditional dhow crafted from hardwood and bound with coconut husk fibres. This vessel, capable of transporting up to 40 tonnes of cargo, is displayed in a simulated water environment to provide visitors with a realistic maritime experience. 

Surrounding the Mtepe, the museum features a collection of artefacts, including navigational tools, traditional sea crafts such as the Dau la Pate, sambuk, and ngalawa, and boatbuilding tools, some dating back to the 15th century. Visitors are guided through a thematic storyline that begins with a tunnel simulating the Likoni channel crossing, offering insights into the evolution of port management in East Africa and the modern sea vessels that now dominate the region's waters. 

Interactive elements such as touchscreens, pictorial displays, and documentary screenings enhance the educational experience. Andrew Mwangura, a veteran mariner and former Secretary General of the Seafarers Union of Kenya, emphasizes the museum's significance in preserving traditional shipbuilding knowledge and documenting ancient landing sites and natural harbours that supported thriving maritime communities before the advent of modern ports. He hails the museum as a long-overdue acknowledgement of the sea's profound influence on Kenya's past, present, and future.

The museum is the result of a long-term initiative that began with an initial proposal by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in the 1980s. The project gained formal momentum in 2008, leading to the building's gazetting as a historical monument in 2009. In 2010, a memorandum of understanding between KPA and the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) ensured the preservation of the building's brickwork and façade, transforming it into a space dedicated to marine artefacts and memorabilia.

Beyond its exhibits, the Maritime Museum will serve as a research centre, historical archive, and cultural touchstone, providing context for archaeological evidence from sites like Manda, Shanga, and Gedi. By showcasing indigenous innovations like the Mtepe vessels, the museum reclaims a narrative of technological achievement that predates colonial contact. The Maritime Museum is poised to become a vital resource for KPA staff, schools, researchers, East African citizens, and tourists, ensuring that Kenya's maritime legacy is celebrated for generations to come.