A whisper of history echoes within these walls. Welcome to the Old Law Court Gallery in Mombasa.
Picture this imposing building. It stands proudly on Nkrumah Road. This isn’t just any building. It’s a silent witness to Mombasa’s legal past. Construction ended in 1902. Sir Charles Eliot the Commissioner opened it. This impressive structure housed the High Court. It shifted from Zanzibar to Mombasa. The move marked a significant moment in Kenyan legal history.
The building itself is a masterpiece. Coral rag and lime mortar form its sturdy walls. A deep veranda encircles the ground floor. Above an open-air balcony offers stunning views. Dark wood graces the interior. Teak doors staircases and floors are almost impervious to white ants. Seven Roman arches dominate the central block. Symmetrical wings flank them. Broad steps lead to the entrance. A huge neem tree now shades the entrance. A clock tower once stood atop the entrance. Its chimes marked Mombasa’s time.
A fascinating stone dates back to 1677. It sits in the entrance hall. The inscription details its origin from Fort St Joseph. This detail hints at Mombasa’s rich Portuguese heritage. Beyond the hall lies a courtyard. A double staircase with carved newel posts ascends to upper floors. Panelled courtrooms stood on either side of the central block. A law library filled the space beyond the courtyard. Old law reports and annual gazettes resided within. At the building’s back were lavatories and cells for prisoners. A furnace stood nearby. It was used to burn obsolete banknotes from the neighboring Treasury.
Convicted defendants faced a short journey to Mombasa jail. Fort Jesus housed the jail. White prisoners received meals from the nearby Mombasa Club. After the High Court moved to Nairobi in 1911 the building transformed. It became an informal gallery. Local art Kenyan crafts and school projects filled the space. Years later the judiciary repossessed the building. It’s undergoing restoration. It will soon become a judiciary exhibition. A temporary gallery will also be available. This splendid old building deserves a new chapter. The Old Law Court Gallery ensures Mombasa’s past remains vibrant.