Kitale Museum, tucked in a remote village in Trans Nzoia County, was ranked among the 10 places with natural habits to visit in Africa.
The museum - located one kilometre from Kitale town - was ranked by Ebony, a top-selling global lifestyle magazine, in their issue released on Friday, January 20.
Kitale Museum showcases traditional Kenyan homes, utensils, and musical instruments and has a nature trail filled with native flora.
"Opening the door to the continent's vast array of contributions to the world's art, science, nature, history and archaeology, these 10 museums in Africa are places to visit to expand your mind and renew roots with the motherland," the ranking read in part.
History of Kitale Museum
Before it gained its Kitale Museum name, it was known as the National Museum of Western Kenya. Following the change of name, it was opened to the public in December 1974.
Its story dates back to 1894 when Stoneham, an amateur naturalist, started collecting insects, animals and books. After gaining prominence, he named it Stoneham Museum and privatised it in 1926.
However, after running the museum for some time, he bequeathed it to the National Museums of Kenya. Further, in his will, Stoneham gave out his collectables to the government. To honour his legacy, Stoneham even donated funds to expand the museum.
Following his handsome donation, a new museum was established on five acres of land. Linda Donley was then named the new curator of Kitale Museum.
Among the natural artefacts displayed at the museum are ethnographical material collected from surrounding ethnic groups in addition to Stoneham’s collections of books, insects and other animals.
Kitale Museum also offers rescue services to deformed and animals with disabilities.
To protect the museum, it was legally recognised by the National Museums of Kenya (NMK), a state corporation established by an Act of Parliament, the Museums and Heritage Act 2006.
The aim was to enhance knowledge, appreciation, respect and sustainable utilisation of resources for the benefit of Kenya and the world.
The museum was ranked alongside the National Museum of Mali, Zanzibar National Museum of History and Culture, Cape Coast Castle Museum in Ghana and the National Museum of Ethiopia.
Others featured in the top 10 museums to visit in Africa included the Apartheid Museum in South Africa, the Benin City National Museum, The House of Slaves and Door of No Return in Senegal, the National Museum of Yaounde in Cameroon and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Ghana.
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