Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Robert Kibochi, has announced plans to bring back Kenyan artefacts taken during the colonial period and held in foreign countries.

While speaking at Uhuru Gardens on Monday, July 26, Kibochi, who doubles up as the chair of the steering committee undertaking renovations of the historic facility indicated that the plans were underway noting that the artefacts would be beneficial to the museum.

However, he stated that the plans would be implemented after the government puts up a legal framework to guide the process.

President Uhuru Kenyatta at Uhuru Gardens Museum on July 25, 2022. KDF

“There are numerous artefacts that were taken out of the country, especially during the colonial period.  These are crucial aspects of our historical and cultural heritage, and therefore every effort must be made to bring them back,” he stated.

On his part, President Uhuru Kenyatta expressed that Uhuru Gardens would play an important role in telling the Kenyan history noting the numerous facilities that had been put up. 

“No one is better placed to tell our stories than ourselves. The revamping of these historic grounds and the establishment of a historical and cultural museum is one of the many initiatives my Administration has taken towards ensuring our history and culture are documented and preserved for posterity,”

“We cannot march boldly into our promised golden future if we do not learn the lessons of the past and apply them to the present,” Uhuru stated.

The push to return Kenyan artefacts taken during the colonial period dates back to 2008 when the late President Mwai Kibaki noted that his administration would reclaim all the artefacts following the renovation of the Nairobi National Museum at a cost of Ksh847 million.

Kenyan artefacts are among thousands of historical pieces that were taken by explorers and colonisers during the scramble and partition of Africa.

Some of the over 3,000 artefacts are found in museums in the United Kingdom (UK) United States of America (USA).

As per data from the British Museum, some of the artefacts were acquired in the country as early as 1910. 

In recent years, African countries have reclaimed some of the artefacts taken during the colonial period.  In June, the golden tooth of Democratic Republic of Congo independence hero Patrice Lumumba wa returned from Belgium after 60 years.

An image of a renovated section of Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi county. PSCU  By Washington Mito, Kenyans.co.ke