Narok: Narok County celebrated the World Day for Cultural Diversity, Dialogue, and Development at Ole Ntimama Stadium, with officials warning that Kenya’s cultural heritage faces extinction if communities abandon their traditions for modern ways of life. Speaking at the event organized jointly by the UNESCO Kenya National Commission and the Narok County Government, County Committee Member in charge of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture Robert Simuoto said no culture is inferior to any other and called on Kenyans to nurture and protect their heritage.
According to Kenya News Agency, Simuoto emphasized that every culture is unique and valuable, urging the preservation of heritage while rooting out negative practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which obstructs educational opportunities for girls. He highlighted Narok’s selection as the event’s host due to its cultural diversity and called for equal recognition of all communities within Kenya.
Present during the function was Kilian Nyambu of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), who pointed out that Kenya’s diversity has often been exploited for division instead of fostering national unity and development. He stressed that culture should serve as both an identity marker and a potential economic resource.
Emily Njeru, Director of Culture at the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, acknowledged Narok’s commitment to cultural preservation and promotion. She expressed hope that Kenyans would one day embrace their diverse heritage fully, reaping benefits from cultural expressions and indigenous resources.
Bursuna Ejere, Coordinator of the Center for Cultural Heritage Studies at Masai Mara University, announced the establishment of a center dedicated to researching and preserving Kenya’s cultural heritage. The event, themed ‘Celebrating Kenya’s Cultural Diversity for Peace, Nationhood, and Development,’ saw participation from communities across the country, who displayed their traditional attire, dances, and customs, with free entry to the public.
