CC image courtesy of Stephen Wanjau
The Kenya National Archives is set to digitise its 40,000 unique documents to allow for virtual access by the public to relive Kenya’s history and generate global interest in the country’s heritage.
Principal secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Culture and the Arts Patrick Omutia said at the digital lighting ceremony of the archives on Wednesday evening the adoption of this technology will help make the archives more accessible.
“We want to use this platform to show the world the path Kenya has taken to where it is now. The National Archives has a unique collection of documents that chart the history of this great country. By digitising these documents, people from all over the world will be able to access the content at any given time,” said Omutia.
Omutia thanked technology company Philips for illuminating the iconic building as part of its Cairo to Cape Town roadshow.
“This gesture from Philips is all about celebrating Kenya@50 which is all about reflecting on our past. There’s no better way to support the future than partnering with an organisation that supplies light second only to the sun,” said Omutia.
“It is a moment of pride to see our efforts transform the Kenya National Archives into such an impressive spectacle”, said Mary Kuria, general manager, Philips Lighting East Africa.
“Using a state of the art lighting system, the façade and masts of this iconic monument now have lights complementing its architecture and adding to its glory.”
The Kenya National Archives is a museum and art gallery, constructed in 1931 by the National & Grindlays Bank. From 1970 until 1978, it was owned by Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), before being acquired by the Kenyan government.
