Ruto calls for preservation of Kenya’s cultural heritage
President William Ruto has called for the preservation of Kenya’s cultural heritage.
Speaking moments after gracing a traditional event in Turkana on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Ruto said safeguarding culture must go beyond symbolism and deliver real benefits to communities and the country at large.
You might also like
Also watch: For the next 20 years, Kenya is going to be one big construction site – Ruto
The President made the remarks while presiding over the ninth edition of the Tobong’u Lore Festival in Lodwar, Turkana County, an annual cultural celebration that brings together communities from across the region.
“We call on national and county elders, cultural practitioners, the private sector, and our development partners to work together to safeguard Kenya’s rich and diverse cultural heritage,” Ruto said.
Culture as an economic driver
Ruto said Kenya’s cultural heritage should be leveraged to support economic growth, particularly through tourism, job creation, and enterprise development.
“This heritage must deliver tangible benefits to our people and to the nation,” he said.
He added that culture can play a key role in strengthening tourism as a driver of inclusive growth while also supporting climate action.
“This includes leveraging our cultural heritage to strengthen tourism as a driver of jobs, enterprise, and inclusive economic growth, and advance climate action by integrating indigenous knowledge and practices into environmental conservation,” Ruto stated.
Home of humankind project
During the event, the President also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the Home of Humankind project, a flagship initiative expected to elevate Kenya’s global standing.
“We reaffirm our commitment to the development of the Home of Humankind project, which will include a world-class human origins museum and a science park,” Ruto said.
He noted that the project will transform the region into a global hub for scientific research, tourism, and investment.
“It will position Kenya as the home of humankind,” Ruto added.
The Tobong’u Lore Festival is seen as a key platform for promoting unity, peace, and cultural identity among pastoralist communities, with the government positioning it as part of a broader strategy to preserve heritage while unlocking economic opportunities.
