Sh87 million cultural festival woos American visitors

Politics and policy

Iraqi Shiites brandish weapons as they show their readiness to fight against Jihadist militants. The political and military developments in Iraq have direct impact on the costs to Kenya’s economy. AFP 

By Kevin J Kelley in Washington DC

A 10-day festival of Kenyan culture expected to draw one million visitors opened in Washington on Wednesday with the singing of Tushangillie Kenya and a plea for peace.

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Kisii stonecutter Elkana Ong’esa, introduced by the festival curator as “one of Kenya’s greatest living artists,” told attendees at the opening ceremony that Kenya is seeking peace in all its forms, including “peace for our elephants”.

The Ramogi Dancers and Kagan and Kochia performers helped inaugurate an extensive programme on Washington’s National Mall that features nyama choma (roast meat) stalls, handicraft, traditional storytelling and several artisan displays.

“This is a strong programme that will showcase the diversity of Kenyan culture,” ambassador to the US Jean Kamau said in an interview at the opening ceremony.

She noted that the Kenya programme at the annual Smithsonian Institution Folklife Festival has been three years in the making and has cost the Kenyan government and private sector close to $1 million (Sh87.5m).

Kenya can expect to receive dividends from this investment, Ms Kamau added. She said that previous folklife festivals have spurred US tourist visits to featured countries.

“It’s also important to our bilateral relations with the US,” she said.

Kenya is “not happy” about the travel warning recently issued by the US State Department, Ms Kamau said, “especially when we’re working closely with the American government to strengthen our response to terrorism”.

But the festival is the first in a series of events that should improve Kenya’s image in the US, the envoy added.

A “Doing Business in Kenya” conference to be held on July 8 and 9 in Washington is likely to produce new investment in the country by US corporations, Ms Kamau said.

Former US envoy to Kenya Michael Ranneberger applauded performances at the opening ceremony and later said that “with the increased terror threat, this is a well-timed opportunity to showcase what I call Magical Kenya”.

Mr Ranneberger warned, however, that the festival “must not be a one-off celebration”.

Kenya must “exploit this opportunity” to boost tourism and to call attention to its Constitution and its economic progress, the US former envoy said.