Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture Paving the Way For Kenya's Accession to the UNESCO Treaty

The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture is actively pursuing Kenya’s accession to the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. The committee has been receiving submissions aimed at facilitating the Country’s commitment to preserving and safeguarding its cultural heritage.

In a session chaired by Hon. Mary Emaase (Teso South), the Committee recently met with the representatives from the Council of Governors (C.O.G), who expressed their support for this crucial initiative. The primary objective of the treaty is to repatriate cultural artefacts to their rightful communities, ensuring they are no longer subject to illicit international trade.

In the meeting, Ms Irene Ogamba, the Director of Legal Services representing the Council of Governors, shed light on the Council’s role in promoting and preserving cultural heritage across all 47 counties in Kenya. Ms Ogamba emphasized the importance of understanding the extent of the issue, stating, “Do we know what is out there? Do we have a list of our stolen property? As C.O.G., we need to look further within. We have a committee that deals with Security and Foreign affairs, and that can be a starting point.”

Hon. Caroli Omondi (Suba South) sought clarity on the responsibility of protecting cultural artefacts, questioning whether it should lie with the National or County governments. This crucial point addresses the need for a coordinated effort between the different levels of governance in ensuring the successful preservation of cultural heritage.

The session chair Hon. Mary Emaase expressed her gratitude to the Council of Governors for actively participating in the discussions and lending their support to this worthy cause. The valuable insights and information gathered from the session will greatly assist in the committee’s efforts to draft a comprehensive report, moving Kenya one step closer to joining the other 39 African nations that have already acceded to the UNESCO treaty.