Lodwar, May 27, 2025 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
The Presidential Taskforce on the proposed Human Origins Museum and Science Park held its fourth stakeholder consultation in Turkana, focusing on architectural designs, business and trade opportunities and environmental conservation.
The professionals were drawn from diverse sectors including Environmental conservation, women, youth and PWD led groups, engineering, culture and heritage, tourism and hospitality, trade, and investment.
The latest consultation marked a shift from earlier engagements that primarily involved government officials and the general public.
Taskforce team leader Richard Barno emphasized the importance of inclusive participation during the planning and design phases of the project, which aims to position the Lake Turkana Basin as a global center for paleoanthropological research and cultural tourism.
“We cannot design a world-class museum and science park without listening to diverse voices from different segments of the community,” said Barno after explaining that similar engagements had been conducted with government officials and the general public.
Participants underscored the need for strict adherence to formal land acquisition procedures, upgrade of the local social infrastructure, integration of smart building techniques, and the use of clean, renewable energy technologies.
Francis Emanikor, an environmentalist with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), noted the possibility of ecological disruptions but expressed hope that proactive measures will be put on place as mitigation measures.
“The area earmarked for the proposed project lies within a fragile ecosystem. It is therefore imperative that the implementers conduct a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and develop mitigation plans before any construction begins,” he advised.
Speaking on behalf of special groups, Priscilla Ekeno called for universal design principles to be incorporated into the architectural plans to ensure accessibility for all.
“There is a high likelihood that persons with disabilities, women, and children will regularly visit the museum. Their access needs must be factored in to ensure no one is excluded,” she said.
Ekeno also urged that local women be given priority in tourism-linked value chains such as craft markets and hospitality services.
She further advocated for the project to build the capacity of youth in areas like tour guiding, cultural interpretation, museum curation, and technical operations.
In response, Barno assured stakeholders that their contributions would inform the project’s implementation plan, which is currently under development.
He reaffirmed the taskforce’s commitment to transparency, continuous public engagement, and collaborative planning.
The Human Origins Museum and Science Park is part of a national initiative aimed at showcasing Kenya’s rich heritage and scientific assets on the global stage, while creating educational and economic opportunities for local communities.
The taskforce is expected to continue engaging more stakeholders in the coming days and will concurrently administer data collection tools to assess the feasibility of the project.
