On Monday, President William Ruto welcomed delegates to the Africa Climate Summit by telling them that they were "returning home". He was referring to the fossil record which shows that hominids and modern humans primarily evolved in eastern Africa.
Ruto's simultaneous promise to make Kenya visa-free for tourists will also be welcomed by the hospitality industry. Previously visitors could conveniently get visas at the airport. Now they have to apply online and often the server is slow to respond or does not respond at all. As a result, Kenya is losing visitors.
But is Kenya sufficiently exploiting its reputation as the 'cradle of mankind'?
There is an excellent display in the National Museum of early mankind but the Turkana Basin Institute is too far away for the average tourist.
Perhaps it is now time for government to seriously consider Dr Richard Leakey's proposal for a new world-class museum of early mankind. Leakey had already donated 300 acres near the Ngong Hills for the museum and was fundraising when he died. This can be a huge scientific asset and tourist attraction for Kenya. Government should ensure that this museum is built.
Quote of the day: "I have civilised my own subjects; I have conquered other nations; yet I have not been able to civilise or to conquer myself."
Peter the Great
The Russian Tsar imposed a tax on having beards on September 5, 1698
