The Ronald Ngala Statue which is located in the Nairobi Business District (CBD) has been declared a national monument.
In a gazette notice, CS Sports and Culture Amina Mohammed stated the site was found to have historical value and would be protected.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 25 (1) (d) of the National Museums and Heritage Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture, and Heritage declares the statue specified in the Schedule, which she considers being of historical interest, to be a monument within the meaning of the Act," the CS noted.
In 2019, the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) announced plans to put up a life-size bronze sculpture along Ronald Ngala Street.
"The statue will be a permanent reminder of his achievements and contributions to the nation," NMK explained.
He was a member of the political group of the Alnican educated elite, who established a new political tradition in Kenya's nationalist struggle to counter imperialism and colonialism. This resulted in creating the right conditions within which independence was handed over to the African majority.
His contribution to the process of decolonization and nation-building in post-independence Kenya was immense.
"The sculpture is envisaged as a dynamic statue showing a recognizable likeness to Ronald Ngala and conveying through stance a heroic presence. It is anticipated to be an imposing powerful and engaging pose of Ronald Ngala with his right hand lited" the government institution noted at the time.
In the Friday, May 7 gazette notice, CS Amina noted that any objection to the declaration should be lodged to her office within 60 days.
Earlier in April, CS Amina also declared the Papal Dias at the University of Nairobi, the Granary of Kikuyu Ethnic Group situated within Thuti Sub-location, Othaya Township Location, Nyeri County, and the 16th Century Ngomeni Shipwreck which is underwater in Ngomeni Bay, Ngomeni Village in Gongoni Ward, Kilifi County as national monuments.
The mandate of the gazettement of important sites falls under the Directorate of Antiquities, Sites, and Monuments (DASM) whose functions include the identification and legal protection of all sites and monuments of national significance.
The department also oversees the conservation and preservation of historical monuments in liaison with stakeholders such as county governments, host communities, and property owners.
