Kisumu County has formally assumed management of museum functions in the lakeside city after signing an intergovernmental partnership agreement with the National Museums of Kenya, marking a major shift in the stewardship of cultural heritage institutions.
Speaking in Kisumu on Wednesday, March 25, Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Ochieng’ Owili said the county government is fully prepared to run the facility, citing investments already made to upgrade infrastructure and services to meet national standards. He also revealed that the city will host the fifth Piny Luo Cultural Festival, a major celebration of Luo heritage.
Owili acknowledged that while the county may still be building capacity, the national government will continue to provide technical support during the transition period.
“The partnership agreement we have signed recognises that the county may not be fully prepared to handle all aspects immediately. The national government, as our partner, will help us build capacity. We are working together in interdependence,” he said.
He described the takeover as a significant milestone in preserving cultural heritage while positioning Kisumu as a leading destination for heritage tourism, cultural learning, and experiential travel. To ensure a seamless transition, the State Department for Culture, Arts, and Heritage will provide technical assistance to maintain continuity of services and enhance operations at the museum.
Principal Secretary for Culture, Arts and Heritage Ms. Ummi Bashir, who was accompanied by National Museums of Kenya Chairperson Edwin Abonyo and Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee Chairperson Kithinji Kiragu, said the move is part of a broader plan to devolve seven museums across the country in line with Schedule Four of the Constitution.
She noted that transferring the Kisumu museum to county management is expected to unlock tourism potential in the western circuit, boost visitor numbers, strengthen the preservation of Luo culture and heritage, and attract both local and international tourists.
“We are here to hand over the Kisumu museum, which sits on 4.2 hectares of land. We have deployed 13 staff to support the transition process. We believe devolving this facility will open up tourism in the western region, increase visitor numbers, enhance culture and heritage, and grow both domestic and international tourism,” she said.
Bashir added that similar arrangements are underway for museums in Wajir, Narok, and Kitale as part of the national government’s commitment to deepening devolution and strengthening county-level management of cultural institutions.
