NMK-HTI

Empowering Heritage Professionals & Preserving Cultural Identity

The National Museums of Kenya Heritage Training Institute (NMK-HTI) was established in 2015 to provide specialized training in cultural and natural heritage management. The institute was founded in response to Kenya’s devolved governance system under the 2010 Constitution, which assigned the management of museums and heritage resources to county governments.

With NMK’s team of highly trained heritage professionals, NMK-HTI is committed to capacity building, research, and skills development for heritage managers, conservationists, and cultural practitioners in Kenya and beyond.

NMK-HTI took over the role of the Research Institute of Swahili Studies in Eastern Africa (RISSEA), which now operates as a department under its wider mandate.

📍 Main Campus: Mombasa (Former Swahili Culture Centre, next to The Mombasa Hospital)
📍 Satellite Campuses: Nairobi National Museum & Lamu Museum

Explore Heritage Education & Training Opportunities:

Library Services & Functions

  • Preserving and Organizing Knowledge Resources

    • The library collects, catalogs, and conserves resources covering a wide range of academic disciplines, with a focus on natural sciences, anthropology, archaeology, botany, museology, and conservation biology.

  • Providing Research & Reference Support

    • Assisting students, scholars, and researchers in accessing specialized materials for scientific and cultural studies.

  • Enhancing Access to Digital & Printed Information

    • Digitizing rare publications, offering electronic resources, and collaborating with global knowledge networks to provide open-access research materials.

  • Facilitating Educational & Public Engagement

    • Hosting public lectures, workshops, and exhibitions to enhance scientific literacy and cultural awareness.

  • Archiving & Conserving Rare Materials

    • Maintaining historical documents, rare books, and unique collections, ensuring their preservation for future generations.

Courses Offered by NMK-HTI

The NMK Library houses an extensive collection of scientific, historical, and cultural resources, making it a premier center for natural history and conservation research.

Fashion Design & Tailoring (Certificate) – 1 Year

  • Hands-on training in traditional and modern fashion design.
  • Specialized skills in Swahili embroidery and ‘kofia’ making.

Carpentry & Wood Carving (Certificate) – 2 Years

  • Practical training in traditional and contemporary woodworking.
  • Special focus on Swahili wood carving techniques.

📌 Certification: Students take internal and NITA (National Industrial Training Authority) examinations.

📌 Funding Support: While most students are self-sponsored, NMK-HTI also receives sponsored students from organizations such as Mvita CDF Skills Mtaani Project and the County Government of Mombasa.

Designed for:

  • County governments, private museums, individuals, and international heritage institutions.

Courses cover:

  • Heritage site conservation & restoration techniques.
  • Museological studies & collections management.
  • Archaeological studies (terrestrial & underwater archaeology).
  • Swahili culture, language, and history.

📌 Swahili Language Courses:

  • Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced Levels.
  • Online Swahili Language Classes Available.

📌 Field Training & Practical Learning:

  • Participants gain hands-on experience at NMK heritage sites and museums.

📌 International Student Opportunities:

  • Research internships and study abroad programs.

📌 Conferences & Seminars:

  • NMK-HTI hosts seminars, workshops, and international conferences on:
    • Swahili heritage and Indian Ocean studies.
    • Historical and contemporary roles of East Africa’s coastal communities.

Coast Resource Centre & Public Library

NMK-HTI hosts a Coast Resource Centre, a public library specializing in rare books and manuscripts on East African history and Swahili culture

Library Features:

  • A wide collection of historical texts, manuscripts, and research materials
  • Lending services for students, researchers, and heritage professionals
  • Archival materials on the history of the Swahili community and Indian Ocean trade

 

Library Access: Open to students, researchers, and general readers
Research Facilities: Available for academic and heritage research projects
Digitized Resources: Select historical documents available for online access

 

National Museums of Kenya

The National Museums of Kenya (NMK), established under the Museums and Heritage Act (2006), is a multi-disciplinary institution dedicated to collecting, preserving, researching, and presenting Kenya’s cultural and natural heritage.

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Headquaters

  • Museum Hill, Kipande Rd
  • P.O. Box 40658 00100
  • Nairobi, Kenya
  • +254 (0) 721 308 485
  • info@museums.or.ke

Admission Hours

  • Monday to Sunday
  • 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
  • Open all year round
  • Night Tours (Min 10 Pax)
  • 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

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The National Museums of Kenya (NMK), established under the Museums and Heritage Act (2006), is a multi-disciplinary institution dedicated to collecting, preserving, researching, and presenting Kenya’s cultural and natural heritage.

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