Kenya’s Permanent Representative to United National Environment Programme (UNEP) and United Nations Office Nairobi (UNON) Ababu Namwamba has called on Kenyans to embrace traditional festivals as a means of conserving culture. 

Namwamba noted that cultural festivals were powerful platforms for preserving traditions, strengthening social ties and empowering future generations and expressed concern that Kenyan cultural heritage has been one of the most neglected and eroded over the years.

The ambassador indicated that, although Kenya is a diverse with over 40-plus ethnic groups, each with its own unique cultural practices, beliefs and values, the majority of the communities, he added, do not retain traditions as Western influence sweeps across the nation.

Namwamba who was chief guest at the inaugural Mulembe Cultural Festival in Nakuru observed that such a diverse population makes Kenya unique and striking and should be one of the many attractions and strengths for the country.

The event held at the Nakuru Athletics Club was also graced by former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa and featured a wide array of cultural activities including traditional dances such as Isikuti, Tindikiti and Lipala, music, storytelling, crafts and cuisine, providing attendees an immersive experience of Luhya culture.

Cultural artefacts, dress and medicine among other items were also on display while traditional foods such as tsisaka, tsiswa, tsisindu, omurere, emiroo, lisutsa, tsinduma, ingokho nende vusuma vwo vulee among others were served.

There was also cooking of traditional foods such as smoked beef and fish, and sundried fish known as shibambala and smoked meat traditionally referred to as inyama imbembele (or shihango) respectively. The food is cooked and served on traditional utensils.

Namwamba said the cultural extravaganza that will be an annual event is meant to resuscitate and preserve the cultural heritage of all the over 18 Luhya subtribes in Kenya and the diaspora.

While calling on youth across the nation to value their traditions and principles that have been passed down to them, the ambassador pointed out that Kenyans need to celebrate their rich cultural diversity in a manner that promotes unity, national cohesion and economic progression.

“The power of unity cannot be gainsaid. For any community to thrive and prosper, it must embrace togetherness and collective progress. By learning to appreciate each other’s cultural differences, it helps us to work together towards a shared future,” he stated.

Others present were the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Sports, Culture, Gender and Social Services Josephine Achieng, Chief Officers Everlyn Kakai (Economic Planning) Gladys Kamuren (Gender and Social Services), Alice Abuki (External Resource Mobilisation), Kivumbini Member of County Assembly Neto Sakwa and his Olkaria counterpart Peter Palanga.

In his remarks, Wamalwa urged county governments to continue supporting cultural initiatives and to recognise the contributions of those who facilitate cultural preservation.

“I think it’s important to support people who are interested in culture and those who work to preserve it, historians, educators and others who play a role in keeping our traditions alive. This is not just an industry; it’s a way of life that must be nurtured for future generations.” he stated.

Wamalwa called on all Kenyan communities to embrace cultural festivals as one of the ways to protect their respective culture that is on the verge of extinction due to Western culture. The former CS added, “It is time we secured our cultural heritage from the pervasive nature of Western civilization. Let us protect what is good for posterity.”

With a rich diversity of ethnic groups and traditions, Wamalwa added that Kenya can use its cultural heritage to bring people together and bridge divides.

He said music, dance, food and fashion, as well as culture can become key tools for building bridges across communities.

“The Mulembe Cultural Festival seeks to fulfil the aspirations of the National Policy on Culture and Heritage as informed by Article 11 of the Constitution, which recognises culture as the foundation of the nation and as the cumulative civilization of Kenya’s people,” noted the former CS.

Chief Officer Kaikai who represented Governor Susan Kihika at the event reaffirmed the devolved unit’s commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that all communities in Nakuru, a cosmopolitan county, enjoy equal opportunities without discrimination.

She emphasised that such cultural events foster cohesion, appreciation, and economic opportunities for local businesses.

“Governor Kihika’s administration continues to support cultural integration, ensuring that Nakuru remains a county where all communities feel valued, heard, and empowered. We are alive to the fact that culture can be used to foster peace, unity, and integration. Nakuru has a rich cultural tapestry” she said.

While noting that cultural festivals celebrate traditions, art, music, dance and culinary heritage of communities, Kaikai pointed out beyond that they portend immense potential that can boost both tourism sector and the broader economy.

“Cultural festivals, the official added, offer a unique opportunity to diversify the tourist experience. While safaris and coastal holidays draw millions of tourists annually, cultural festivals attract a different kind of traveller – the type looking for authentic and immersive experiences that go beyond convention and the beaten path,” the Chief Officer explained.

Kaikai said the cultural festivals are an important economic lifeline for host communities as they create numerous business opportunities for local entrepreneurs in hospitality, food services businesses, transportation, retail and entertainment.

In her speech the county executive for Sports, Culture, Gender and Social Services pointed out that many of Kenya’s cultural festivals celebrate indigenous knowledge of nature, helping tourists better understand a country’s ecological treasure troves.

By promoting these events, Achieng noted Kenya can encourage tourism that respects both culture and environmental sustainability.

“The festival seeks to fulfil the aspirations of the National Policy on Culture and Heritage as informed by Article 11 of the Constitution, which recognizes culture as the foundation of the nation and as the cumulative civilisation of Kenya’s people.

Additionally, the county executive highlighted the importance of addressing cultural practices that perpetuate Gender Based Violence, including FGM.

“We must acknowledge that such practices are outdated and harmful. It’s our collective responsibility to eliminate them, not just in this county but across the country,” Achieng asserted.

– A Tell / KNA report / By Anne Mwale