Obama’s Kogelo now a protected area
United States President Barrack Obama sits in front of a traditional Luo hut during a past visit to Kogelo. The Kenyan government has already gazetted the village where President Obama traces his roots as a protected area. PHOTO/ REUTERS
The village where United States President Barack Obama traces his roots has been gazetted as a protected area under the National Museums and Heritage Act.
Kogelo, which is in Siaya District, is among six other areas which were earmarked for preservation in a Kenya Gazette notice by Heritage minister William ole Ntimama.
The typical Kenyan rural village where Mr Obama senior, the president’s father, was born will now enjoy the government’s keen watch and publicity.
The move is considered a step closer towards the building of the proposed Obama-themed Dero Kogelo Library and Cultural Centre at the village, which is to be funded by the government.
The Giriama at the Coast, who have a rich cultural history, also had their funeral posts — called vigango — preserved by the Act.
Also gazetted as a protected site is City Park, a popular recreational site located in the Parklands area of Nairobi which has been the target of the city’s land grabbers.
The three are joined by former Italian Barracks, St Peter’s Catholic Church and Old Asian School, all located in Narok.
The gazette notice also identified the administrative offices of the Muka Mukuu Farmers Cooperative Society as national landmarks, and categorised them as areas that needed special government protection.
Funding
The offices are located in Kilimambogo, Machakos District and are part of the expansive 33,000 acres owned by the cooperative society.
Although the notice does not give any information on the possible transformation of the new sites, it is highly likely that they will join other protected areas that regularly receive government funding for their maintenance.
These include Olorgesailie in Turkana, Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Jumba La Mtwana (The Large House of the Slave) in Mombasa, Mnarani in Kilifi, Koobi Fora in Turkana and Songhor in Nyando.
Uhuru Gardens, located along Lang’ata Road in Nairobi, is the largest memorial park in Kenya. It was given the name to commemorate Kenya’s struggle for independence.
