The Trans Nzoia County settlement of Kitale Museum, which is nestled away in a rural area, was named one of the top ten natural attractions in Africa.
In their edition published early this year in a top-selling international lifestyle magazine, ranked the museum, which is just one kilometer from Kitale town.
The Kitale Museum features a natural trail lined with local vegetation and displays traditional Kenyan dwellings, tools, and musical instruments.

“Opening the door to the continent’s vast array of contributions to the world’s art, science, nature, history and archaeology, these 10 museums in Africa are places to visit to expand your mind and renew roots with the motherland,” the ranking read in part.

It was formerly known as the National Museum of Western Kenya before getting the name Kitale Museum. In December 1974, with the name change, it was made accessible to the general public.

Its history began in 1894 when amateur naturalist Stoneham began to gather insects, animals, and literature. He gave it the name Stoneham Museum and privatized it in 1926 after becoming well-known.

He left the museum to the National Museums of Kenya after managing it for a while. Also, Stoneham left his collectibles to the government in his will. Stoneham even contributed money to expand the museum in honor of his legacy.

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Together with Stoneham’s collections of books, insects, and other creatures, the museum also displays ethnographic objects gathered from neighboring ethnic groups. The Kitale Museum also provides rescue services for malformed and disabled animals.

The National Museums of Kenya (NMK), a state organization created by the Museums and Heritage Act of 2006, granted legal recognition to the museum in order to protect it.

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The aim was to enhance knowledge, appreciation, respect and sustainable utilisation of resources for the benefit of Kenya and the world.

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The museum was ranked alongside the National Museum of Mali, Zanzibar National Museum of History and Culture, Cape Coast Castle Museum in Ghana and the National Museum of Ethiopia.
Others featured in the top 10 museums to visit in Africa included the Apartheid Museum in South Africa, the Benin City National Museum, The House of Slaves and Door of No Return in Senegal, the National Museum of Yaounde in Cameroon and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Ghana.