Garissa Governor Nathif Jama laying the foundation stone/STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Garissa Governor Nathif Jama has defended the construction of a county museum, describing the project as a critical investment in preserving the region’s history, culture and indigenous knowledge for future generations.
Speaking on Monday when he laid the foundation stone for the construction of the museum, Jama said the facility will provide an important link between the county’s past, present and future by allowing younger generations to learn and appreciate their heritage.
“To say this is a very happy day and a very, very important day in the journey of the revolution for Garissa county would be an understatement,” Jama said.
The museum will be established at the former Ministry of Health offices, a site of immense historical significance that once housed Garissa’s first hospital.
The old red-brick building was constructed in 1932 by the British colonialists. It will form the foundation of the new museum.
Jama said the decision to locate the museum at the site was deliberate, noting that preserving the historic building would ensure that an important part of Garissa’s history was not lost.
“We have this old structure, and I made sure that the county museum is established here because of its historical significance. This old building will form the basis of the Garissa County Museum,” he said.
He disclosed that the existing structure will be renovated and expanded to accommodate additional facilities and exhibition spaces as the county seeks to develop a comprehensive museum.
The facility will have different sections, including one dedicated to indigenous knowledge and traditional medicine, where information on medicinal plants, traditional practices and other forms of indigenous knowledge from across the county will be preserved.
Jama said such knowledge, which has for generations been passed down orally, needed to be documented before it was lost.
“I know that, for many people, they may not fully comprehend the real value of a museum. But I personally understand what it means, and many of you do too. This project should not be viewed as an ordinary construction undertaking, but as an investment in the identity and heritage of Garissa county.”
“When we have every plant or piece of indigenous medicinal knowledge and products from our county, collected from all parts of the county and preserved here, it will help us and our younger generations understand and appreciate our heritage,” he added.
Khalif Nunde, an elder, lauded the move saying much of Garissa’s history remains largely undocumented.
He recalled receiving treatment at the hospital in the 1960s when he was a young boy.
“I want to say thank you very much for trying to revive our history, because our history is very important. We need these things,” he said.
The elder said the hospital’s history was closely intertwined with the development of healthcare services in Garissa.
He recalled that after the facility ceased operating as the main hospital, health services were transferred to other facilities, including the Medical Training Centre, before eventually moving to what is today Garissa Level Five Hospital.
“Some of us actually witnessed this history, and I am extremely grateful to our governor for reviving and preserving it,” Nunde said.
Ends…………
Garissa Governor Nathif Jama speaking./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Khalif Nunde, an elder, speaking. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Garissa Governor Nathif Jama in an excavator./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Garissa Governor Nathif Jama looks at the sample sketch of what the museum will look like. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Garissa Governor Nathif Jama speaking./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
