NAIROBI, November 20, 2010 (CISA) –Dignitaries, diplomatic corps, governmental officials, and development partners joined in the celebrations to mark 100 years of the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) in Nairobi and the launch of the National Museums of Kenya Endowment Fund (NMKEF).
The celebrations were part of an exhibition in the national museum on the centennial history of Kenya. The exhibition was officially opened on November 19, 2010 to commemorate “100 years of safeguarding and supporting our heritage; 1910-2010.”
The exhibition highlights Kenya’s history in three major phases: pre-colonial Kenya, period of colonial rule and independent Kenya.
The event which was officially opened by Honourable Minister, William Ole Ntimama includes permanent and temporary exhibits.
The museum has 10 permanent exhibitions including the cradle of Mankind, Great Hall of Mammals, Cycles of Life, Hall of Kenya and the Centennial History of Kenya.
The exhibition also includes historical events such as the building of the Kenya-Uganda railway, land alienation and the Second World War.
In his remarks he thanked the forefathers who established the museum in Kenya adding that “consolidation of our diverse cultures will help us to a complete and a more developed nation.”
He appealed to the government and the rest of Kenyans to avail funds to build cultural centres that may help fight corruption and drug addiction.
The incumbent Director General Dr Omar Farah welcomed everybody and said, “The endowment fund will go a long way in ensuring that heritage gets its rightful place in the development agenda of this nation.”
The celebrations honoured some of the distinguished predecessors and also took stock of the high achievements in the last 100 years.
In future the national museum will have an additional of galleries such as: geology and ecology of Kenya, cultural dynamism, natural diversity, creativity and Asian African heritage exhibitions.
Among other participants were: the founding family member of the museum, Dr Richard Leakey who was the Director General of the NMK for 21 years, The Permanent Secretary for National Heritage and Culture Dr Jacob ole Miaron, Charles Njonjo former attorney General of Kenya, Manu Chandaria of Chandaria Industries Limited, US Ambassador Michael Ranneberger and the UNESCO team that attended the Inter-Governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Nairobi.