400 heritage sites in poor state amid funding shortfalls and neglect - PS

Hundreds of Kenya's heritage sites are in a poor state due to neglect caused by financial constraints, a parliamentary committee has been told.

Principal Secretary of the State Department for Culture, the Arts & Heritage Ummi Bashir informed the National Assembly Committee on Sports and Culture that the government lacks adequate funds to maintain 400 historical sites across the country.

She urged the committee, chaired by Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama, to push for budgetary allocations to preserve the country's rich history.

"Kenya is blessed with unique historical sites which are in a poor state due to neglect. We request the Committee to push for funds to be allocated for their rehabilitation," Ummi said.

She noted that the deteriorating state of the sites has discouraged both local and international tourists, leading to reduced revenue.

"The few tourists who visit some of the sites have expressed their dissatisfaction with their state," Ummi added.

The PS had appeared before the committee to present the department's 2025 Budget Policy Statement (BPS), alongside Sports and Culture Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya.

She outlined that while the department requires Sh5.98 billion for the Financial Year 2025-2026, it has only been allocated Sh3.54 billion, with Sh3.45 billion for recurrent expenditure and Sh90 million for development.

The committee acknowledged the need for urgent conservation efforts and urged the department to seek global donor support.

Suba South MP Caroli Omondi encouraged the ministry to establish a strategy for attracting international partnerships to supplement government funding.

"There are global partners who would be interested in supporting the conservation of the heritage sites, and you need to reach out to them to supplement what the government provides for the same," she said.

Addressing concerns raised by Busia MP Catherine Omanyo about the failure to honour national heroes such as the late broadcaster Mambo Mbotela, Ummi cited financial limitations.

"We have requested Sh50 million for the establishment of the Heroes Fund to honour great citizens who put the country to fame, and we ask the committee to help get the money," she explained.

The department has also requested funding for several projects, including the construction of the Wundanyi Resource Centre, the establishment of a music studio for artists, the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Kapenguria Six site, and the construction of the Marachi Cultural Centre. However, progress has been hindered by inadequate funds.

The PS further noted that the finalisation of the Kiswahili Bill and the establishment of the National Kiswahili Council have also stalled due to financial constraints.

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