Ruto unveils plans for Turkana's Human Origins Museum at cultural festival

He described the project as "an important project that will be established at Namortunga-Kalokol as a world-class centre for scientific research, cultural tourism and ecotourism."

The Tobong’u Lore, known in English as the Lake Turkana Cultural Festival, celebrates indigenous culture every spring in Turkana, northern Kenya.

This year’s festival, now in its eighth edition, began on Thursday and attracted thousands of local and foreign visitors.

It showcases traditional Turkana dances, music, cuisine and crafts, serving as a reminder of the strength found in cultural unity.

In addition to promoting the rich heritage of the Turkana community, the festival fosters peace by inviting neighbouring communities from South Sudan, Uganda and Ethiopia to participate.

Ruto emphasised the importance of unity, stating, “We don’t want tribal politics. I will work hard to unite all citizens so that Kenya can move forward.”

The festival features cultural exhibitions, the crowning of Miss Tourism Turkana and traditional dances until October 27.

Ruto expressed confidence that the museum will attract global attention, further establishing Turkana as a vital centre for historical research and benefiting the local economy.