Cultural fete in US hopes to improve image, spur tourism

Washington DC

A 10-day festival of Kenyan culture, that is expected to attract one million visitors, opened in Washington with the singing of “Tushangillie Kenya” and a plea for peace.

Kisii stonecutter Elkana Ong’esa, who was introduced by the festival curator as “one of Kenya’s greatest living artistes,” told participants at the opening ceremony that Kenya is seeking peace in all its forms, including “peace for our elephants.”

The Ramogi Dancers and Kagan and Kochia performers helped inaugurate the fete at Washington’s National Mall on Wednesday that features nyama choma stalls, handicrafts, traditional storytelling and displays by artisans.

Under an agreement signed at the festival on Friday, Sibiloi National Park becomes the first park in Africa to be twinned with a national park in the United States. Sibiloi, located on the shore of Lake Turkana, and Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument in the US state of Idaho will share information on issues and resources they have in common.

DIVERSE CULTURE

“This will showcase the diversity of the Kenyan culture,” said Kenya’s ambassador to the US Jean Kamau at the opening.

She said that Kenya’s cultural showcase at the annual Smithsonian Institution Folklife Festival was planned for three years. The envoy said that it cost the Kenyan government and the private sector close to $1 million (Sh88 million.)

The country can expect to receive dividends from the investment, she said.

She said that previous folklife festivals by other countries had spurred US tourist visits to the nations that were featured.

“It’s also important for our bilateral relations with the US,” said Ms Kamau.

Kenya is “not happy” about the travel warning recently issued by the US State Department, she said, “especially when we’re working closely with the American government to strengthen our response to terrorism.”

“The festival is the first of a series of events that should improve Kenya’s image in the US,” said the envoy.

Ms Kamau said that a “Doing Business in Kenya” conference has been scheduled for July 8 and 9 in Washington in a bid to attract new investments.

A former US ambassador to Kenya, Michael Ranneberger, applauded the performances.

He told the Nation that “with the increased terrorist threat, this is a well-timed opportunity to showcase what I call Magical Kenya.”

Mr Ranneberger warned, however, that the festival “must not be a one-off celebration.”

He said Kenya must “exploit the opportunity” to boost tourism and to call attention to its new Constitution and its economic progress.