Chao Tayiana Maina is no ordinary historian. A trailblazer at the intersection of technology and African history, she employs digital tools to breathe life into forgotten narratives and reshape how we engage with cultural heritage. For Chao, history isn’t just a record of the past — it’s a dynamic, reparative process of uncovering truths and amplifying silenced voices.
Chao describes herself as a “historian by birth and a digital explorer by profession.” Her fascination with history began early, but her academic journey took a unique turn. After earning a BSc in Mathematics and Computer Science from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in 2015, she pursued an MSc in International Heritage Visualization at the Glasgow School of Art, graduating with distinction.
Inspired by The Headstrong Historian, a short story she read at 18, Chao embarked on a personal quest to uncover her own history. This reflection evolved into a mission to reshape historical narratives, reclaiming African stories from the grip of colonial perspectives that continue to dominate global discourse.
She leverages tools like digital visualizations and oral history recordings to excavate suppressed histories and present them in ways that challenge traditional hierarchies. “Technology has created new ways for us to express, explore, and engage with our cultural pasts and presents,” she explains.
Her groundbreaking projects include the Save the Railway initiative (2012–2016), which documented the disappearing history of Kenya’s railway infrastructure through photographs, 3D images, and oral histories. The project not only preserved the tangible legacy of Kenya’s railways but also spotlighted their pivotal role in shaping the nation’s socio-economic history.
In 2018, Chao co-founded the Museum of British Colonialism (MBC), a collaborative effort to address historical gaps in the narrative of British colonial rule. One of its key achievements was creating 3D reconstructions of detention camps from the Mau Mau Emergency, bringing suppressed stories to light through digital and physical exhibitions.
Chao’s commitment to African heritage led to the establishment of African Digital Heritage in 2019. This non-profit organization champions a critical, holistic approach to digitizing archives and historical sites, conducting interdisciplinary research, and equipping communities with digital skills. Her passion for restitution inspired the creation of Open Restitution Africa in 2020, an open data platform providing access to information on the repatriation of African artifacts and remains.
Chao’s expertise has made her a sought-after speaker and consultant. She has collaborated with museums, libraries, and archives across Africa — including in Kenya, Senegal, Nigeria, and South Africa—and her work has been featured in prominent outlets like The Guardian, National Geographic, and Al Jazeera.
Despite her international acclaim, Chao remains deeply connected to her Kenyan roots. Her first venture into digital heritage was a humble blog, Thee Agora (2012 – 2016), where she shared snippets of Kenyan history she discovered in books and archives. The blog became a platform for her budding interests and a stepping stone to her larger projects.
Chao’s contributions to digital heritage have earned her numerous accolades, including the Dan David Prize (2023) and the Yale Director’s Forum Fellowship (2024). However, she views these honors as milestones rather than endpoints. “Working to map out digital futures within African history has been a challenging and inspiring journey,” she reflects. “I hope to continue learning, innovating, and sharing as I go on.”
