The National Assembly Sports and Culture Committee held a meeting with key Government agencies and organizations to discuss the ratification of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 1970 Treaty.

In a Session chaired by Hon. Mary Emaase (Teso South), officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Justice, the Law Society of Kenya, and the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO present submissions before the committee. 

TheTreaty seeks to combat the illegal trade of cultural artefacts by prohibiting their illicit import, export, and transfer of ownership. 

The Committee was informed that there are currently more than 32,000 artefacts held in museums around the world, and ratifying the Treaty would facilitate the repatriation of these items to their rightful places.

Members pledged their commitment to ensuring the ratification of the Treaty. They noted that doing so would protect Kenya's cultural heritage, stressing that it is an integral part of the country's identity. 

The ratification of the UNESCO Convention Treaty is a crucial step towards the protection of Kenya's cultural heritage. The committee's role in this exercise is to ensure a thorough and transparent process, including public participation, and provide recommendations to the National Assembly regarding the ratification of the Convention.

In assuring the team of the Committee's support, Hon Charles Nguna (Mwingi West) said, "we will expedite and fully support this Treaty and present it in the House for debate. We have to protect our culture and will make sure that whatever belongs to Kenya returns to Kenya." 

The UNESCO 1970 Treaty has been ratified by several countries worldwide, among them 39 African countries.