In what will become the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, the construction of the underwater museum has started to take shape as archeologists step up their efforts to discover more shipwrecks along Kenya’s Coastal line, reports said.
It would be recalled that in a statement last year, Dr Caesar Bita, Head of archeology at the National Museum Kenya, Coast region, said underwater museum is going to be a major boost in the country’s economy and is in line with the blue economy’s vision.
Bita had said “We are trying to develop projects that relate to blue economy, and that are cultural. Cultural heritage is one of the biggest attractions in Kenya. We have many tourist attraction sites near and under the sea”.
In a recent development, it has been reported that the museum, which is being built at the site of shipwreck at Ngomeni, a historical fishing village in the North Coast, will be opened next year – 2022.
Bita had also said that “The country is pushing for the implementation of the Blue economy for sustainable economic development. The museum will attract more tourists who will in turn improve our economy”.
The boss had also noted that in a bid to see the success of the project, NMK is developing some of the underwater sites, so that they can be packaged as tourism products to boost the country’s economy
He said “We want to develop these wrecks in a way that tourists can visit them under water”.
In his words, Bita had clarified that some of the wrecks cannot be brought out of the water because they might be broken or decay.
“The sea offers a conducive environment for their survival. I brought out they can decay,” said the archaeologist.
The museum will be Africa’s educational centre for underwater archaeology.
While noting that “The government of Kenya, through the NMK, has started to develop the Ngomeni shipwreck site into an underwater museum, the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa,” Dr Bita added that underwater heritage is unexploited, and the museum will provide an opportunity for both local and international tourists to enjoy the discoveries.
Local reports have it that currently, Kenya has displays at the Ngomeni, where people see the wrecks on land. However NMK wants to give opportunity to tourists who want to explore the wrecks under water.
Dr Bita said underwater museums have become major tourist attractions in other countries adding that Kenya must tap into the industry.
The project will be boosted by the discovery of several shipwrecks in Kenyan water.
Bita said studies have revealed that the shipwrecks are “highly exploitable for scientific research and as tourist attractions”.
However, he clarified that currently, only a few people are able to access the shipwrecks in the ocean. “Once the museum is complete, we will have tour guides who will be guiding people under the water. Each wreck will have a placard that tells its history,” Bita said.
