Kabarnet: The Kabarnet National Museums, in collaboration with the Samosa festival, has launched a two-month-long exhibition to honor Makhan Singh, the pioneer of trade unionism in Kenya. The exhibition aims to celebrate Singh's contributions to the Kenyan freedom struggle and his enduring legacy.
According to Kenya News Agency, Lilian Amwanda, a curator at the museum, emphasized the importance of remembering Singh's contributions, especially since his history was somewhat overshadowed following an 11-year detention by British colonialists. The National Museums of Kenya (NMK) recognized the need to educate current and future generations about Singh's achievements. Amwanda, alongside NMK Western Region Keeper Julius Ogega, highlighted Singh's iconic slogan 'Uhuru Sasa,' meaning 'Freedom Now' in Kiswahili, as a testament to his commitment to freedom.
The exhibition encourages educational institutions in and beyond the county to visit and learn about the revolutionary trade unionists and other freedom fighters. Peter Mboya, Secretary of the Kenya Union of Domestic Hotels Educational Institutions Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA) Baringo Branch, urged the youth to take initiative in shaping the country's future, stressing their critical role in Kenya's destiny.
Baringo County Labour and Employment Director Rebecca Koskey echoed Mboya's sentiments, advocating for courageous and visionary young leaders. She emphasized the need for vibrant leadership, particularly in the county's limited unions, and called on employers to support rather than penalize employees who join unions to fight for their rights.
Following its stint in Baringo, the exhibition will travel to Malindi and finally Nairobi County, continuing to honor Makhan Singh's advocacy for the rights of African, South Asian, and European workers.