‎‎Tharaka Nithi Senator Mwenda Gataya Mofire has called on the national government to formally recognise and support the Uragate Cultural Festival, citing its role in preserving the cultural heritage of the Tharaka community, promoting tourism and improving local livelihoods.

In a request presented before the Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, the Senator wants the government to clarify the festival’s current recognition status and outline measures being undertaken to promote it as a national cultural event.

Established in 2015, the annual festival is held at Uragate in Meru National Park, bringing together members of the Tharaka community and neighbouring communities to celebrate their cultural heritage, promote social cohesion and showcase the region’s tourism potential.

Despite its growing significance, Mofire says the festival has yet to receive adequate national recognition, particularly through its inclusion in the national cultural events calendar and government support for its development.

The Senator has asked the committee, chaired by West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor, to provide details on the number of cultural festivals recognised by the national government, their classification and the criteria, procedures and requirements for recognition, gazettement and inclusion in the national cultural events calendar.

He has further sought clarification on whether the Uragate Cultural Festival meets the requirements for classification as a national cultural festival and, if not, the reasons behind the delay in granting it such status.

Mofire also wants the committee to disclose budgetary allocations, disbursements and expenditure by the national government in support of cultural festivals from the 2022/2023 financial year to date, including a breakdown of beneficiary festivals and the amounts allocated to each.

He has also sought details of the policies and institutional frameworks established to support cultural festivals, as well as mechanisms for collaboration between national and county governments in promoting and preserving cultural heritage.

The Senator is further pushing for the inclusion of the Uragate Cultural Festival in the Eastern Tourism Circuit, arguing that this would enhance its visibility and attract more domestic and international visitors.

Of particular interest is the government’s commitment to construct a cultural centre at Uragate in Meru National Park.

The Senator wants the committee to provide an update on the proposed project, identify the government agencies responsible for its implementation and outline the budgetary allocations, implementation milestones and expected timelines for commencement and completion.

The proposed cultural centre is expected to provide a dedicated facility for preserving, showcasing and promoting the cultural heritage of the Tharaka community.

The senator maintains that formal national recognition and increased government support would not only safeguard the community’s cultural identity but also boost tourism, create economic opportunities and improve livelihoods among residents of Tharaka Nithi County.

 by Dickson Mwiti