The Chairman and Director General of National Museums of Kenya today appeared before Senate Committee on Trade, Industrialization and Tourism chaired by Sen. Lenku Ole Kanar Seki, following the Committee's resolution of its meeting held on 25th May 2023 to invite them to a meeting to discuss further, Sen. Mohamed Chute's statement on the status of management of Museums and Heritage Sites in Kenya. 

Mr. Edwin Abonyo, the Chairman and Prof. Mary Gikungu the Director General submitted their presentation explaining the relationship and collaboration between National and County Museums since Museums are devolved function. They explained that National Museums of Kenya is willing to continue collaborating with County Governments to offer technical assistance in establishment and management of Museums through offering training and or enhancement of skills among others. 

The Committee was informed that Gazette Notice No. 13982 of 11th November 2022 lists the various monuments, ancient and historical sites, World Heritage Sites, National Statues, Memorials and Mausoleums assigned to the National Government as well as museums, parks & sites and land set aside for development of museums listed under the County Government. 

To respond to the question of measures put in place to repatriate artifacts that were taken by the British, the Chairman said that the process towards ratification of UNESCO Convention on the means of prohibiting and preventing the illicit import, export and transfer of ownership of cultural property has commenced. 

Sen. Mohamed Chute wanted to know whether the artifact Ahmed the elephant can be handed over to Marsabit County where he was informed that Ahmed the elephant is being preserved alongside other heritage collections of National importance at the National Museum for educational and conservation awareness for posterity. The Chairman of NMK further explained that the environment within which Ahmed the elephant lived in is a conservation area under the protection and management of the National Government. 

Sen. Esther Okenyuri, Sen. Crystal Asige, Sen. Betty Montet, Sen. Andrew Omtatah, Sen. Karungo Thangwa and Sen. Mohamed Chute were present in the meeting.