• The President pointed out that the Monday evening media event was the first among several that are geared towards ensuring the facility is fully ready to give visitors a unique and memorable experience.
•The President said the facility will also keep updating Kenyan history, pointing out that all communities including those that are not indigenous will have their history recorded and stored in the facility.
Image: PSCU
President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged Kenyan journalists to focus more on positive stories about the country.
Speaking on Monday evening during a media orientation and tour of the newly revamped national facility of Uhuru Gardens , Uhuru told journalists they could also write positive stories about their country and sell.
“Sometimes the truth hurts. It doesn't always have to be bad news, to write bad news to sell.You are part of this country and you need to tell the good, the bad and the ugly, “ he said
“If its good be proud of it, celebrate it, show it. If its bad say it, if its ugly say it,” Uhuru urged.
The head of state also told journalist to be cautious on reporting and not always look for sensational stories just to sell.
“Not every day you look for a sensational story. When you look at the story, the headlines and story two different things,” Uhuru added.
Going further, the head of state implored the media to use the newly redeveloped Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum as their source of factual information to write about Kenyan heritage.
The President pointed out that the facility holds historical and cultural artefacts, memorabilia and audio-visual stories from the events that birthed and shaped the nation’s identity.
Uhuru said both local and international journalists now have a facility which will help them verify facts as they prepare their stories.
“We can’t always be painting a negative picture of our country. You have to tell stories which can inspire and give hope to build the nation. You need to bring that out. And also tell us how our country has been birthed, shaped and where we are,” he said
“Come and see for yourself, verify history and be able to report stories based on facts not hearsay. This will also enrich your profession and professionalise your profession,” President Kenyatta added.
At the event attended by local and international journalists, President Kenyatta said the media were invited as the first focus group, because of the crucial role they play in creating public awareness through dissemination of information.
The President pointed out that the Monday evening media event was the first among several that are geared towards ensuring the facility is fully ready to give visitors a unique and memorable experience.
He said his administration undertook the project of revamping the national landmark to ensure that the country does not lose its history, saying it is through building on the past that nations become better.
“We cannot march boldly into our promised golden future if we do not learn the lessons of the past and apply them to the present,” President Kenyatta said.
The Head of State added that the facility, which is a repository of Kenya’s history and cultural heritage, intends to showcase stories of all communities to enhance national integration and cohesion.
“Every community that makes up Kenya can proudly see themselves represented in one way or another within these grounds. This is, indeed, a physical envisioning of our unity and heritage of splendour.” he reaffirmed.
“No one is better placed to tell our stories than ourselves. The revamping of these historic grounds and the establishment of a historical and cultural museum is one of the many initiatives my Administration has taken towards ensuring our history and culture are documented and preserved for posterity,” he said.
The President said the facility will also keep on updating the Kenyan history, pointing out that all communities including those that are not indigenous will have their history recorded and stored in the facility.
“We have now Kenyans of Makonde ancestry from Mozambique. They are part of us now. They also need to be reflected here. We have people who came from Rwanda in the early sixties. They are now part of us,” said President Kenyatta underlining country’s diversity.
Chief of Defence Forces General Robert Kibochi, who is also the chairman of the steering committee of the project, said his team is planning to bring back some of the Kenya’s artefacts held in foreign countries once the legal framework has been put in place.