This archive report was first published on 2 November 2019.
On October 30, 2019, Sports, Culture and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed presented a Silver Play button to comedian and YouTube influencer Alex Mathenge at the Google for Africa event held at Movenpick in Westlands.
Kenya's National Museums of Kenya have taken a significant step in preserving and promoting the country's cultural heritage by partnering with Google Arts and Culture. The collaboration has resulted in the digitization of the country's rich cultural collections, making them accessible to audiences worldwide through the 'Utamaduni Wetu, Meet the People of Kenya' platform.
According to the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage, the project will enable audiences to access the collections of National Museums of Kenya online. The digitization project is part of the ministry's efforts to adapt to and benefit from major social and technological changes.
Speaking on the project, Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed said, 'Museums, and I believe, archives, galleries, libraries, theatres and art centres, are not exempt from this rule.' She added, 'In fact, historically, this imperative has informed the evolution of museums from their classical origins when they housed the private collections of kings and wealthy merchants to the public galleries of the 18th and 19th centuries with their dedicated focus on education.'
The project is expected to be a boost to the education sector as students across the globe can access amazing collections with ease. The virtual experience is also expected to engage people and inspire interest in understanding and learning about Kenya's cultural and natural heritage.
The platform offers a wide range of cultural experiences, including traditional music, dance, and art. Audiences can learn about the cultures of little-known communities like the Isukha, Duruma, Bujan, Elmolo, and many others. They can also read about legendary Kenyan warriors and literary warriors like Ngugi Wa Thiong'o and Oscar award winners like Lupita Nyong'o.
The platform also features superheroes from Kenyan folklore, including Mekatilili wa Menza, the Giriama wonder woman, and Gor Mahia, the powerful Luo magician. Enthusiasts can also meet 'your ukoo' - a collection of 21 superheroes from Kenyan folklore.
