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NMK transforms 129-year-old Tana River church into community museum

Heritage consultant Philip Jimbi points at the falling cross of the 129-year-old church built by German Missionaries in Ngao Village, Tana River County. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

By Farhiya Hussein | 23 Apr 2024

The missionary house will become Tana River's inaugural museum, joining the list of the nation's scarce community museums.

The National Museums of Kenya (NMK) is spearheading restoration efforts in Ngao Village, Tana River County, to establish a community museum by refurbishing a historic missionary building dating back over 120 years.

Some 19,500 euros (approximately Sh2.7 million) in funding from Heritage International, based in Greece, has been secured for the renovation project.

Athman Hussein, the coast region assistant director of museums and monuments at the National Museum of Kenya (NMK), and other officials tour the 129-year-old church built by German missionaries in Ngao Village, Tana River County. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

German missionaries built the structure from 1900 to 1902, using it to spread Christianity among the Pokomo people of Tana River after an unsuccessful bid to convert the Orma community.

Athman Hussein, the NMK's Coast region assistant director of museums and monuments responsible, said plans to repurpose the building, turning it into a museum and integrating it into a tourism loop featuring three First World War landmarks in Garsen and the neighbouring Methodist Church, were underway.

"Our goal is to refurbish the entire missionary house and transform it into a compact museum, drawing tourists to this quiet village. This aligns with the government's grassroots tourism policy (utalii mashinani),” he said.

The 129-year-old church built by German Missionaries in Ngao Village, Tana River County. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

Hussein stated that the NMK would work with the Methodist Church in Kenya to publish the historical relics, such as the missionary house and church, which are over a century old, to ensure continued recognition and support from the government and other partners.

"We envision that refurbishing these two structures will help to revitalise Ngao, Tarasaa, and even Garsen, known for its World War I landmarks. Our goal is to create a cohesive tourism circuit linking these destinations,” he said.

Athman Hussein, the coast region assistant director of museums and monuments at the National Museum of Kenya (NMK), looks into a tunnel dug by the Germans as a hiding place in case of attacks at the Missionary Cottages in Ngao Village, Tana River County. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

Heritage consultant Philip Jimbi Katana said the two buildings are important due to their historical significance, distinctive architecture, and association with the church.

Jimbi, a former chief curator at the Fort Jesus Museum in Mombasa, stated that the missionary house will become Tana River's inaugural museum, joining the list of the nation's scarce community museums.

The single storey missionary cottage currently under renovation at Ngao Village, Tana River County. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

William Muta Saka, the curator of the Jumba National Monument in Mombasa, who is the project coordinator, confirmed receipt of the funds from Heritage and said the rehabilitation should be complete by June.

Noting challenges in securing funding, Edward Yesse, an administrator and author from Ngao village, expressed the community's joy over the museum project.

He emphasised its importance in preserving Ngao's Christian heritage, highlighting the area's evangelism history, the role of German missionaries and the establishment of vital community institutions such as Ngao Methodist Hospital and Ngao Primary School.

Esther Nankuni, a member of the Ngao Methodist Church, welcomed the project and expressed hope for the restoration of their church building, which is currently abandoned due to structural issues.