Tambach Museum is located in Tambach Town, Elgeiyo/Marakwet County, approximately 42 kilometres from Eldoret Town. The museum was officially opened to the public on 31st March, 2012. Tambach is one of the oldest towns in Kenya. It was established in 1920s as a British colonial center of administering Elgeiyo and Marakwet people.
It has a spectacular view of the Kerio Valley, the Tugen Hills, and the Kerio River. It is famous for the Sirikwa Holes constructed by the Sirikwa people in the 17th and 18th Centuries. It also has a rich colonial history.
Tambach lies at an altitude of 6,500 feet at the top of the Elgeiyo Escarpment.
History of the museum
The idea of establishing a museum at Tambach was conceived by the National Museums of Kenya in 2002. The museum was established to safeguard the Tambach heritage site and the culture of the Keiyo and Marakwet people. Tambach has a rich cultural heritage. It is famous for the Sirikwa Holes constructed by the Sirikwa people in the 17th and 18th Centuries.
It also has a rich colonial history. In 2003, NMK renovated the former District Commissioner’s residence, a seven roomed bungalow to create an exhibition space for ethnographic and archaeological collections of the Elgeiyo/Marakwet County. Tambach Heritage Town Exhibition is the premier exhibition for this museum. The exhibitions highlight the development of Tambach town during the colonial and independence period and factors which influenced its growth and decline and now renewed growth. The exhibition also explores the culture (past and present) of its inhabitants the Keiyo and Marakwet.
It looks at their lifestyle, livelihoods and traditions in the context of the surrounding- the Keiyo Valley.
Contact:
Korir Stanley
Email:- skorir@museums.or.ke
Telephone:- 0712412475