As the rains roll iN and Nairobi turns a little sodden, the city’s art scene is anything but grey. A gallery is perfect for ducking out of the drizzle (or downpour!) and diving into something inspiring. Check out what’s happening iN Nairobi this month, the events, the openings and the ongoing exhibitions.
EVENTS & OPENINGS
Nairobi Design Week: Let’s Be Human | 4 venues across CBD | March 7 – 15 | From 10am
This year’s theme is Let’s Be Human: an invitation to honor that shared truth: beneath all our differences, we’re connected by the same fragile, resilient essence. 50+ exhibits & installations. 4 venues. 9 days. Your festival pass is valid for all 9 days across all daytime venues, so you can come back as many times as you like, with digital exhibits, screenings and more from 10am every day.. Each day on the main stage at Alliance Francaise will be focused around one of the sub-themes:
[Sat 7th] THE BODY[Sun 8th] COLOUR
[Tue 10th] LIVING WITH HUMANS
[Wed 11th] HUMANMADE
[Thu 12th] NOT HUMAN
[Fri 13th] BEHAVIOUR
[Sat 14th] TASTE OR TREND
[Sun 15th] SPACES FOR HUMANS
Visit https://www.nairobi.design/week/2026 for more details.
Watchdogs of the Night | Njogu Kuria | Munyu Space | Opening event Saturday from 12pm | Until 28 March
Title inspired by UB40’s song Watchdogs.. where they sing about seeking safety from “hungry wolves”…Showcasing at @munyu_space Those wolves can be anything… fear, corruption, pressure, systems, people, even our own doubts. For the artist, the watchdogs are the spiritual guides, the elders, the ones we pray to, the ones we call when things fall apart. They are family, friends, ancestors, God, gods,, the forces that help keep us steady when life feels unstable. These guardians are built from discarded rubber, metal, vinyl, light and shadow. What was thrown away now stands watch.Because we all need something, or someone … guarding us through the night.
Majira | A Photo Slideshow by Kibe Nduni | Contemporary Image Centre | Saturday 7 March | 7pm
A Nairobi-based photographer whose work finds beauty in the everyday, celebrating African youth through natural light and a sharp visual eye.
Limited Seats register at link in bio @cic.africa.
Still in Transit | Sarah Waiswa and Joel Lukhovi | Paper Cafe X The Good Grain | Opening Thursday 12 March | 4-8pm
A collaborative trans-African photography project by @lafrohemien & @lukhovi explores movement as both method and subject. Developed over a decade of travel across the continent using local transport networks, the images trace how cities take shape through circulation, exchange and continual transformation. In this body of work, Waiswa and Lukhovi invite viewers to consider the visible and invisible forces that enable, restrict or redirect mobility, and the quiet negotiations through which people inhabit and move across space. Free and open to all
Viewing Hours; Tuesday to Saturday, 8 am to 4 pm.
The Skin of Memory | Abdul Rop| The African Arts Trust | Opening March 13 | Until May 22
The African Art Trust and Kairos Futura announce The Skin of Memory, an exhibition of large-scale woodcut prints by Nairobi-based artist Abdul Rop
The exhibition presents a series of prints drawn from the history of the Nandi Resistance to British colonial rule (1890–1906). As a descendant of the Nandi people of Western Kenya, Rop turns to this history both as a personal inheritance and as a lens through which to examine colonialism’s lasting mark on communities, land, and identity.
At the centre of the series is the story of Orkoiyot Koitalel Arap Samoei, the spiritual and military leader of the Nandi people, who led more than a decade of resistance against British expansion and the construction of the Uganda Railway through Nandi territory. The railway, which the Nandi called the “Iron Snake”, fulfilled an earlier prophecy attributed to Samoei’s father, Kimnyole arap Turukat, who had foretold a great black serpent crossing the land. In October 1905, Samoei was killed by British Colonel Richard Meinertzhagen during a peace meeting. His skull was taken to London, where it remains. The resistance ended shortly after.
Rop’s intricate prints serve as a form of archaeology. By excavating these histories, he reveals the imprint left on the “skin” of the nation and its people. The scale of the prints asks viewers to reckon with these events at close range, tracing the connections between colonial administration, dispossession, and the communities that endured both.
Abdul Rop (b. 1993) is an artist and sociologist whose work addresses questions of social justice, land, and collective memory. He studied sociology and religion at Egerton University and developed his printmaking practice through the Brush Tu Artist Collective in Nairobi. He is a founding member of Kairos Futura.
Issam Hafiez | A Retrospective Exhibition | Circle Art Gallery | 21 March – 17 April
ONGOING EXHIBITIONS
Artist Pop Up | Sei-Kashe | Provisions | Until 4 March
A delicate exploration of watercolour, on both paper and soapstone. Postcards and tote bags also available.
Shipibo-Konibo – Portraits of My Blood | David Díaz Gonzales | Embassy of Peru | 2 – 13 March
Peruvian photographer David Díaz Gonzales was born in the native community of Nueva Saposoa, in Ucayali on the Peruvian Amazon. The power of his images lies in the distinctive combination of poise and ease that characterizes his approach to photography. Familiarity with his surroundings imbued with his ancestry in the Shipibo – Konibo community underpin and sustain his position as an image maker, and give strength to his photography. Shipibo – Konibo is one of the 48 indigenous languages spoken in Peru. Gonzales’ origins infuse a new and fresh meaning to his documentary pieces that nourishes a fundamental vision of harmony, well- being and justice of life.
Entry is by appointment. Registration Link: https://forms.gle/a1pvE7CrFBQ5B6wx5
For further information or group visits, please contact: [email protected]
The Transition | Moses Muigai | Nairobi National Museum, Creativity Gallery | 5 – 31 March
An exploration of men and women, their shared place in the universe, and the ways nature responds to their actions, for better or for worse. Inspired by the dynamic ways adults navigate influence, responsibility, and consequence, Muigai’s paintings burst with colour and captivating energy.
8:30am – 5:00pm daily | Normal museum rates apply
Michael Armitage, Maria Lassnig, Chelenge Van Rampelberg | NCAI | Until 5 April
The Nairobi Contemporary Art Institute (NCAI) in collaboration with Kunsthaus Bregenz presents ‘Michael Armitage, Maria Lassnig, and Chelenge Van Rampelberg’ in an exhibition that brings together three distinct yet deeply connected artistic voices. Following its first presentation at Kunsthaus Bregenz (KUB) in 2025, this travelling exhibition arrives at NCAI for its second iteration, extending an intergenerational and transcontinental conversation shaped by shared inquiries into the human condition. Uniting drawings, lithographs, prints, and sculptures, the exhibition explores the body as a site of vulnerability, relationship, and belonging. Marking a significant moment for Nairobi, it features the first showing of works by both Michael Armitage and Maria Lassnig in East Africa. With the selection of works shaped by Armitage, the exhibition foregrounds influence, lineage, and artistic affinity, situating these converging perspectives within a renewed local and global context at NCAI. The exhibition is presented in partnership with the Maria Lassnig Foundation, the Federal Ministry of Austria, and the Austrian Embassy in Nairobi.
Where Personal Identities are Fading | Lemek Sompoika | Redhill Art Gallery | Until 8 March
Held High – Held Back | Rasto Cyprian & Fridah Ijai | HoF Gallery | Kibera Arts District | Until 8 March
Kibera Arts District hosts three gallery openings with HOF Gallery Kibera exhibiting works by Rasto Cyprian & Fridah Ijai bringing a repulsive effect on both personal and communal perspective on identity. Rasto’s work built on the concept of the veil creates censorship, concealment, and restriction. The veil (mesh integrated within the paintings) acts as the barrier confining one from accessing something. Fridah’s work brings the pride and acknowledgement of one’s ‘self’, the long necks are inspired by the women in Thailand and southern parts of Africa brings the Asserted presence and the hidden identity by either the individual as well as the community.
HoF Gallery – open daily from 10am to 7pm. open daily from 10am to 7pm. For location Google “Kibera Arts District”. Pin here.
For more information: 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑜 𝑂𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑜, 𝑣𝑖𝑎 𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑝ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑒- 𝟤𝟧𝟦 𝟩𝟦𝟣 𝟦𝟦𝟥 𝟨𝟩𝟪 | 𝐽𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑦 𝑃𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒, 𝑣𝑖𝑎 𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑙- 𝑗𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑦@ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑜𝑓𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠𝑘𝑒𝑛𝑦𝑎.𝑐𝑜𝑚
Story of Another Day | NoBodyOwnsMe Gallery | Kibera Arts District | Through 8 March
The premiere exhitbition opening the NoBodyOwnsMe Gallery in the Kibera Arts Districe, ‘Story of Another Day’ is an exhibition on photography and sculpture focusing on daily life, routine, survival, repetition, and resilience, without being literal. Showing works by Ramadhan Said, Lucas Oyugi, Lisette van Niekerk & Moussa Inna.
NoBodyOwnsMe Gallery – open daily from 10am to 7pm. open daily from 10am to 7pm. For location Google “Kibera Arts District”. Pin here.
For more information: 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑜 𝑂𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑜, 𝑣𝑖𝑎 𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑝ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑒- 𝟤𝟧𝟦 𝟩𝟦𝟣 𝟦𝟦𝟥 𝟨𝟩𝟪 | 𝐽𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑦 𝑃𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒, 𝑣𝑖𝑎 𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑙- 𝑗𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑦@ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑜𝑓𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠𝑘𝑒𝑛𝑦𝑎.𝑐𝑜𝑚
Kujituma | Dennis Ndegwa | Annex Gallery | Kibera Arts District | Through 8 March
The launch of Annex Gallery in Kibera Arts District will exhibit KUJITUMA sharing works by Dennis Ndegwa alias ‘Bull’. Rooted in the everyday choreography of survival. the quiet, relentless labor that keeps life moving. Drawn from the slang that captures hustling with purpose, it speaks to determination not as spectacle, but as routine. Framing hustle as dignity: a refusal to stall, a commitment to keep going despite uncertainty. It honors the discipline of showing up, the courage to bet on tomorrow, and the ingenuity of making do with what is at hand.
Annex Gallery – open daily from 10am to 7pm. For location Google “Kibera Arts District”. Pin here.
For more information: 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑜 𝑂𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑜, 𝑣𝑖𝑎 𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑝ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑒- 𝟤𝟧𝟦 𝟩𝟦𝟣 𝟦𝟦𝟥 𝟨𝟩𝟪 | 𝐽𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑦 𝑃𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒, 𝑣𝑖𝑎 𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑙- 𝑗𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑦@ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑜𝑓𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠𝑘𝑒𝑛𝑦𝑎.𝑐𝑜𝑚
The African Horizons | Haji Chilonga | Banana Hill Gallery | Until 10 March
A solo exhibition by celebrated Tanzanian artist Haji Chilonga. Rooted in everyday life, Chilonga’s paintings and sculptures reflect memory, labour, and shared human experience. Drawing from a lifelong practice shaped by portraiture, abstraction, and figurative storytelling, his work captures moments that educate, move, and quietly resonate.
🕘 Mon to Sat 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM
🕛 Sun 12.00 PM to 6.00 PM
📍 Free entry
Genesis: The Unity Collection | Unity Art Collective | Until 15 March, by appointment
Your Future is Bright | Elizabeth Deng | One Off Gallery | Until 22 March
In this new body of work, Elizabeth Ashemu Deng explores the poetic and material possibilities of cyanotype – one of the earliest photographic printing processes – to reflect on memory, migration, landscape, and identity. Working in rich tones of Prussian blue, Deng layers found materials, textiles, and photographic impressions to create evocative compositions that blur the boundaries between past and present.
There was Always Only One Zebra | Olivia Pendergast | One Off Gallery | Until 22 March
Pendergast mixes cross‑cultural influences and intimate, photographic source material to make stylized, “everyday‑hero” portraits that read like spiritual icons – but of ordinary people. Her paintings fuse African primitivism, Japanese minimalism and references to Western modernists (Picasso, Gauguin, Modigliani), producing a flattened, symbolic, slightly “hieroglyphic” look rather than conventional realism. Focusing on everyday people as sacred subjects: she deliberately elevates pedestrians, children, and other ordinary figures – giving them auras/halos and a dignity usually reserved for saints in Western painting.
Art of Connection | Sena Art X Art Direction @ Hyatt Regency | Ongoing through May 2026
In collaboration with Hyatt Hotels Westlands Nairobi, the exhibition ‘The Art of Connection’ unfolds across five floors as a living exhibition curated by Myrna (Art Direction) and Linda (Sena Art Gallery). Bringing together contemporary artists and designers from Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Rwanda, Nigeria, and Tanzania, the exhibition explores art as a space of encounter, movement, and exchange.
Set within a hotel—a place of passage and pause—the exhibition remains fluid, continuously evolving as new works are introduced weekly. Through this platform, Myrna Art Direction and Sena Art Gallery connect artists with exclusive audiences, fostering dialogue, visibility, mentorship and sustainable creative practices across art, travel, and business.
Keep an eye on @senaartgallery on Instagram for announcements of their Taste of Art tours, encompassing a tour of some of the artworks in the collection acoompanied by themed bitings.
Artists and designers are invited to submit their work and join the exhibition. Portfolios (PDF) can be submitted via WhatsApp to +254 115 784 649.
A featured work By @altayeb_morhal, from the opening collection at Nubian Art Gallery
Opening Collection | Nubian Art Gallery (Stellato Mall) | Ongoing
The newest gallery in town, championing Sudanese art/artists and raising funds to support communities in Sudan affected by crisis, uplift children, and empower artists back home. Walk-ins are welcome, and private viewings can be arranged by appointment.
Hours: Mon – Thurs & Saturday 12-8pm | Friday & Sunday 2 – 9pm
I.N.N.A.T.E.L.Y N.A.T.U.R.E | She’Rustica | Two Grapes | End date TBD
She’Rustica By Design creates functional artistry and spatial design. I create bespoke, functional art and installation art
from discarded material, that embodies a blended rustic aesthetic. She’Rustica’s art is the result of a process of imagining and creating a delicate soft beauty from a rough and rigid world. Intentionally crossing the realm of physicality to invoke a state of introspection; to ask yourself, “What is my little thing?”. During the duration of the showcase there will be live interactions with the artist – keep an eye on socials @twograpes & @she’rustica plus @in.nairobi for details.
Wahenga Wa Sanaa | Nairobi National Museum | Until 2027
Wahenga wa Sanaa: Tracing two centuries of artistic legacy 1800 – 1980
Wahenga wa Sanaa brings the NMK collection into public view, tracing powerful themes of cultural identity, spirituality, history and politics, nature and environment, and the growth of formal art training and supporting institutions. The exhibition honours the Wahenga—the wise ancestors and cultural forebearers whose creativity laid the foundation for generations of artists. As we create art today, we walk in their footsteps and continue to build on their enduring legacy. The exhibition is funded by the Kenya Museum Society. Read more about the exhibition in our article.