from left: Museum curator, Jack Obonyo | Mzee Obonyo, Jack's father | The original museum

The Abasuba Community Peace Museum is among the first community museums in Kenya, thanks to the initiative of its Founding Curator, Jack Obonyo. Upon marriage to his wife, Lilly, Jack's father gave him a plot of land on which to build and settle his new family. Instead, Jack's burning desire to protect and promote the unique culture of his people, the Abasuba, led him to build a small community museum. He began to collect artefacts, and carry out research on Abasuba culture; he also liaised with local edlers and the youth to encourage the protection of the nearby rock art sites. Jack officially transferred ownership of his plot to the Suba County Council in 2007, thereby confirming his commitment to the community.

Established in 2000, the museum works to promote and protect the cultural and natural heritage of this small and endangered community. The museum works very closely with TARA – the Trust for African Rock Art – and the National Museums of Kenya to protect and manage the nearby rock art sites. It also serves as a centre for the promotion of traditional methods of peace and conflict resolution.

Rock art heritage has posed special challenges in attracting attention and visitors. These include inaccessible and unrecorded sites, little research or information and lack of protection against vandalism, and uncontrolled tourism. Managed tourism in the Suba District has the potential to create jobs and have a positive impact on the local economy. It can also instill pride in a unique and threatened heritage.

Architect's impression of proposed new museum | The new museum buildings under construction, July 2008

In 2007, TARA received a grant from the Kenyan Tourism Trust Fund (TTF) to increase awareness of rock art, to promote rock art for tourism and to conserve and develop sites in a way that will lead to improving the quality of life in Suba District. This is being achieved through training, improved infrastructures (including a new museum and community centre) and sustained, creative marketing. The design for the new museum was done by Phillip Okello of Urban Design Associates (Nairobi). The project is being carried out in collaboration with the Abasuba Community Peace Museum and the local community, and is managed by Gloria Borona, a project officer at TARA.

Jack with members of the Board | Members of the Museum and Advisory Boards,
and the architect during a site visitin 2007

Mr Benard Omuga (Chairman)
Mrs Pauline Aluoch (Treasurer)
Mr Kings Owagogo (Secretary)

The Museum also benefits from an Advisory Board, whose members represent various disciplines and fields of expertise: