- Residents say a local museum would reduce costs for learners travelling elsewhere for historical studies.
- They want Nyamira’s cultural heritage, natural attractions and traditional knowledge documented and preserved for generations.
- The proposed facility could also support tourism, research and employment opportunities for the county’s youth.
Residents of Nyamira County have asked the government, through the Ministry of Culture and Social Services, to consider building a museum in the region to enable teachers and their students to conduct their historical, tourism and culture-related studies.
The residents, who were led by James Mangoa of Mosobeti Location, said learners and researchers are forced to travel for many kilometres to other regions such as Kisumu, Nakuru and Nairobi to study, making it very costly for parents and schools.
According to Mangoa, the region is blessed with good tourism features that have not been exploited for tourism activities. He mentioned the source of River Gucha at Kiabonyoru Hills, the beautiful waterfalls in West Mugirango, and the undulating Manga Hills cliffs and escarpment.
These natural features, he said, have remained idle and unknown to many Kenyans because there is no centre to preserve and market them.
Tourism and educational potential
The residents explained that Nyamira has great potential for various types of tourism if a museum is established. There is historical and cultural tourism, where Gusii artefacts, traditional tools, weapons, grinding stones and stories of our heroes can be preserved.
There is also ecological and nature tourism, where visitors can hike the Manga Hills, visit the River Gucha source, view waterfalls and enjoy birdwatching and nature photography.
Another important type is agricultural tourism. Nyamira is famous for tea and coffee. Tourists and students can be taken to view the cultivation of tea on the hills, the plucking, weighing, processing in factories such as Kebirigo and Tombe, and also the marketing.
The same can be done for coffee farming, from planting to harvesting and drying, as well as banana farming and traditional crops. This would also promote educational and research tourism, where schools and colleges from across the country would come to Nyamira for field studies instead of our children travelling far.
Residents want cultural heritage preserved
John Kirera argues that there are unique features such as Ngoro ya Meaga at Manga Hills that breathes fire at night and which tends to speak in strange tongues during some months of the year.
He says if these are documented, they can provide good tourism activities and attract many researchers who are interested in mysterious cultural heritage.
He adds that there are different stones such as Igena Monto and Igena Mengere, named according to their behaviour and heritage values, that can only be explained by elders with cultural heritage knowledge to add value to the younger generation.
Such stories, he said, should not be allowed to die with the old people.
His sentiments were supported by elder Agwata Gesora, who asked the County Government of Nyamira to initiate the programme because it is essential, as it will create employment and encourage young, fresh content creators from school towards financial self-support.
Gesora noted that the youth can earn from documenting these stories, making cultural videos and guiding tourists.
They believe that building a museum will not only reduce the cost of learning but will also create jobs for youth who will work as tour guides, curators and cultural performers, and bring income to the county.
READ ALSO: How Kenyan public schools can build a reputation that communities trust for generations
They are therefore appealing to the county government and the national government to consider this request in the coming budget.
By Enock Okong’o
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
>>> Click here to stay ahead with the latest national news.
