Nandi County government has partnered with the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) to establish a National Sports Museum in the region.

The ambitious initiative seeks to promote sports tourism, preserve the country’s rich athletic history and honour the legacy of Kenya’s legendary athletes.

The proposed museum, to be established in the county referred to as the Home of Champions, will be the first of its kind in Kenya and is expected to become a national hub for showcasing Kenya’s most iconic sporting milestones.

It will house a vast collection of artefacts, historical archives and memorable things from the precolonial, colonial, and post-independence periods, with a strong emphasis on the country’s globally acclaimed distance runners from the Rift Valley region.

Speaking in her office after hosting a high-level delegation from the National Museums of Kenya for a consultative meeting, Nandi Deputy Governor Yulita Mitei said: “This museum will not only celebrate our sports legends but also serve as a learning and research centre for generations to come. We are proud to work closely with the National Museums of Kenya to bring this dream to life.”

The meeting also discussed the fast-tracking and formalisation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to guide its construction and development, research, documentation and mapping of all cultural heritage across all six sub-counties in Nandi to protect and promote the region’s diverse cultural legacy.

They also discussed the restoration and preservation of the historic Shujaa Koitalel Samoei Mausoleum and its artefacts.

Nandi County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Culture, Gender and Social Services, Scolastica Tuwei, underlined the importance of heritage preservation in fostering a strong sense of identity and unity among Nandi residents.

“Our heritage is our pride. Through these strategic collaborations, we aim not only to preserve our past but to ignite cultural pride among our people, especially the youth. The National Sports Museum will be a symbol of excellence, resilience, and unity,” Tuwei said.

The project is also expected to open up new opportunities for local artists, curators, researchers and the hospitality sector, boosting the region’s economic development through increased cultural and sports tourism.

Both the county government and the National Museums of Kenya have reaffirmed their commitment to work hand in hand to actualize this transformative vision.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Linet Wafula