2007 PRESS RELEASES

US GRANT SUPPORTS CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION OF HERITAGE IN THE LAKE TURKANA REGION OF NORTHERN KENYA

August 20, 2007

On Wednesday August 15, a $26,471 (approximately 1.77 million Kenyan shillings) grant from the 2007 Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation was signed at Loyangalani (Marsabit District) by U.S. Ambassador Michael Ranneberger and a representative from the National Museums of Kenya.  The grant will go towards the interpretation and preservation of the historical Marti rock art site, the development and production of brochures and guidebooks for heritage sites around East Lake Turkana, the documentation and recording of endangered languages and cultural ceremonies in the region, and a capacity building and sensitization workshop on Heritage Management for stakeholders and local communities.

East Lake Turkana is part of the arid and semi-arid region of Northern Kenya and it is endowed with both rich natural and cultural heritage.  The communities inhabiting the area include the Elmolo, Turkana, Rendille, Samburu, Dassanach, Gabra, Borana and the Watta while their cultural heritage ranges from rock art sites, artifacts, ceremonies, oral traditions etc.  The Desert Museum in Loyangalani (one of the Regional Museums under the National Museums of Kenya) was established to conserve and celebrate the cultures and lifestyles of these communities.

Ambassador Ranneberger signing the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation Grant Agreement on August 15, 2007 at the Marti rock art site,Loyangalani, Lake Turkana region, Marsabit District.  Also pictured are Ibrahim Mohamud Abdullahi of the National Museums of Kenya, Aruna Amirthanayagam, Cultural Attaché at the American Embassy, Nairobi and David Coulson, Chairman of the Trust for African Rock Art.

Established by the U.S. Congress in 2001 and administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation aims to assist less developed countries in preserving museum collections, ancient and historic sites and traditional forms of expression.  Since its inception, the program has awarded 436 grants in 119 countries including five to Kenyan institutions.  The 2007 Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation awards will support 57 cultural preservation projects in 54 countries.