The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage unveiled a committee on Thursday that will oversee the transition of the Ushanga Kenya Initiative into a state body.

The committee was unveiled during an event that was held at the ministry’s headquarters in Nairobi.

The Tourism Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza, explained that the purpose of the transition is to protect the bead work created by various Kenyan women both locally and internationally, as well as to promote Kenyan cultural heritage and empower women through entrepreneurship.

Malonza further elaborated that the initiative will bring communities into the tourism value chain while also addressing leakages in tourism revenue.

“The purpose of the transition would be to ensure that the bead work by various Kenyan women is protected both locally and internationally while equally ensuring promotion of Kenyan cultural heritage and empowerment of women through entrepreneurship,” Malonza said.

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“The initiatives will communities into the tourism value chain while also addressing leakages in tourism revenue.”

The Ushanga Kenya Initiative was conceived by President Dr. William Samoe Ruto in 2017 while he was still the Deputy President in former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.

According to Malonza, the initiative has become a true testimony and an inspiration to many who believe in the Kenya Kwanza manifesto, which emphasizes the importance of empowering communities to be drivers of their own development.

“The initiative conceived by President Dr. William Samoe Ruto in 2017 while still Deputy President in the Uhuru Kenyatta Administration has become a true testimony of our time and inspiration to many who believe in the Kenya Kwanza manifesto which emphasizes the importance of empowering communities to be drivers of their own development,” Malonza said.

Malonza explained that as the initiative transitions to a state corporation, there will be a strong legal and regulatory framework in place to protect the intellectual property rights of the beadwork, pottery, soapstone carvings, wood carvings, and other handcrafted products.

This will also ensure that these products are sold at fair prices.