Museum of Illusions: Stepping into a world where reality bends

Moffat Baraka plays the 'head on a platter' trick during the opening of the Museum of Illusions at Laxon Court Plaza in Parklands, Nairobi on May 24, 2025.

Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group

In a world where reality often feels fixed and predictable, the Museum of Illusions in Nairobi invites you to question everything you know. From rooms that defy gravity to murals that come alive, this isn’t just a museum—it’s a playground for the mind.

Located in Parklands, the museum blends cutting-edge technology, local artistry, and a dash of magic to create an experience that is as educational as it is exhilarating. And the best part? It’s not just for tourists or art aficionados—it is for anyone who has ever wondered, “What if?”

Forget everything you know about traditional museums. The Museum of Illusions veers off the beaten path, trading dusty artefacts for mind-bending exhibits that play with light, perspective, and technology. Here, the walls tilt, the floors shift, and your reflection might just disappear. It’s quirky, fun, and at times, eerily surreal.

But what truly sets this museum apart is its unique blend of global innovation and local flavour. As the largest franchise of its kind in Africa, the Museum of Illusions is a testament to Nairobi’s growing reputation as a hub for creativity and cultural innovation.

Collaborations with renowned local creatives bring a distinctly Kenyan twist to the global franchise.

Moffat Baraka gets to experience a cloning table during the opening of the Museum of Illusions at Laxon Court Plaza in Parklands, Nairobi on May 24, 2025.

Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group

Moha, the Father of Matatu Culture, has designed the Reversed Room, a topsy-turvy space inspired by Nairobi’s iconic matatus. Step inside, and you will feel like you’ve been transported into the colourful, chaotic world of the city’s most famous mode of transport.

Lulu Kitololo, a contemporary Kenyan artiste, showcases a reinterpretation of traditional jewellery and fabrics through an avatar-like mural of a powerful African woman. Her work, adorned with the illusion of an all-seeing eye, is a striking tribute to Kenyan femininity and strength.

Meanwhile, Brian Omolo brings Nairobi’s urban culture to life with a vibrant mural that captures the city’s energy and spirit. “The whole idea was to create a portrait of a woman who is clearly powerful, African, and infused with a Kenyan flavour,” saidLulu.

“This moment is super exciting because it offers the opportunity for a lot of people to interact with my work and brings Kenyan representation to a global stage.”

The choice to open the largest Museum of Illusions franchise in Nairobi was not accidental. Jonathan Cooper, the Global CEO of the Museum of Illusions says the city’s vibrancy and youthful energy made it the perfect fit.

Kiende Kathure(right) and Melissa Hinga pose for a photo at the 'Beuchet Chair' during the opening of the Museum of Illusions at Laxon Court Plaza in Parklands, Nairobi on May 24, 2025.

Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group

“We really liked the vibrancy, progressiveness, and youthfulness of the culture here,” Cooper said during the launch on January 24. “It perfectly syncs with the ultra-ethos of the Museum of Illusions.”

Call to local artists

Nika Fuchkan, the national director of the museum, echoed this sentiment, emphasising on the museum’s commitment to celebrate Kenyan urban street culture.

“We are open to collaborations with Kenyan artists and are keen on exploring that. We are a creative space and invite creatives of all ages to come and share this space with us.”

Visitors are encouraged to touch, explore, and take pictures. “This is a different kind of museum from what people expect,” Nika saidwith a chuckle. “We are what you would call, not your grandfather’s museum.”

Among the must-see exhibits are the Revolving Room, a near-hypnotic space that challenges your sense of balance, and the Reverse Room, where up is down and down is up—approach with caution if you have a queasy stomach!

Interactive installations use light, mirrors, and technology to create unforgettable optical illusions, making every corner of the museum a photo-worthy moment.

Dr Fredric Manthi, the Director of Antiquities, Sites, and Monuments in Kenya, expressed his excitement about the new addition to Nairobi’s cultural landscape. “I am very glad to hear that this is the largest of its franchises in Africa,” he said.

Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, officially opened the museum, highlighting its potential to redefine Nairobi’s cultural and tourism appeal.

Media personality Lotan Salapei, experiences the 'infinity room' during the opening of the Museum of Illusions at Laxon Court Plaza in Parklands, Nairobi on May 24, 2025.

Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group

“Today, we welcome the beginning of a new kind of cultural experience in our city,” she said. “The museum challenges human perceptions, expands imagination, and celebrates the joy of curiosity and wonder. It’s a magnet that tourism thrives on.”

Whether you are a science enthusiast, an art lover, or simply someone looking for a fun day out, the Museum of Illusions has something for you. It is a space where the laws of physics, perception, and cognition are tested in ways that are both mind-blowing and educational.

Tickets range from Sh900 for children to Sh3,900 for family packages.

As you wander through its halls, you will find yourself laughing, questioning, and marvelling at the impossible. It’s a reminder that the world is full of wonder—if only we’re willing to look at it differently.

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