County government set to own Kisumu Museum

By Peter Ochieng

The County government of Kisumu is in the process of fully owning the Kisumu National Museum (KNM).

As it currently stands, the Museum, situated in Milimani is owned by the national government.

Beatrice Odongo, Kisumu Chief Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Sports, Arts, Culture, Gender and Youth Affairs on Thursday said she expects the process to be completed within a year.

She said the Kisumu County attorney is currently drafting agreements to fast-track the process.

"By next year, we shall own the Kisumu National Museum," said the CECM.

Odongo said the matter was deliberated on when National Museum's of Kenya chairman Mzalendo Kibunjia visited Kisumu recently.

She spoke at the Museum on Thursday, during the 43rd celebrations of the International Museums' Day.

The Day, presided over by various leaders among them Nyanza Regional Commissioner (RC) Flora Mworoa was marked with planting of 100 indigenous trees within the Kisumu National Museum compound.

"Tree planting should be taken seriously. I encourage all of us to plant and grow trees so that we reduce the effects of climate change," said the RC.

Her sentiments were backed by environmentalist Rahmina Paulette and Kisumu National Museum curator Simon Wanyonyi.

The two said Kenyans should be sensitized to a point of embracing tree planting and growing, for environmental sustainability.