Joshua Murithi: History Teacher Who Resigned to Start Museum, Now Reaping Big

Everyone, even his close family members, had second thoughts when Joshua Murithi abandoned his job to open a museum in Meru.

Murithi lamented the monotony and rigidity of his 9 am to 5 pm employment as a Kiswahili instructor.

The teacher cherished in his heart the idea of preserving the Ameru culture by preserving artifacts. This led him to resign in 2018 at the age of 35 in order to pursue what was most important to him.

“The Kenyan education system is short of practical knowledge. For instance, in History classes, all that is taught is theoretical and pure storytelling,” said Murithi in an interview with KTN News.

Murithi converted his 2-acre piece of land in Meru into a collection of artifacts from the Ameru cultural history, a move that close family members even doubted would pay off. This led to the birth of Murithi Mpuri Cultural Centre.

The centre now boasts of traditional artifacts as well as the historical journey the community went through.

Murithi also set up a classroom setting where learners from schools across the region attend theoretical sessions as well.

He takes the learners through the artifacts, expounding on what they symbolise and their significance.

The centre has also won various awards in several competitions, a feat the Meru County Government recognises.

“Through arrangements with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), Murithi represented us in a cultural event in Kisumu, where we won the competition,” said Meru County Executive Committee Member for Tourism Maingi Mugambi.

“After winning the Kisumu edition, we got an opportunity to compete in France where Murithi won yet again at a cultural event,” added Mugambi.

Murithi has diversified his museum to not only act as an archive for culture but also a centre that promotes change in the community.