Bedford Museum has negotiated the return to Kenya of historical cultural artefacts owned by a local family, half a century after they were bought to England.
A delegation from the Kenyan Government, including the Hon. William Ole Ntimama, EGH, MP, the Minister of State for National Heritage and Culture, is attending a special event at Bedford Museum on Monday October 27 at 12pm to receive the objects.
The objects include necklaces, gourd pots and a decorated shield, as well as spears and a bow and arrow.
They were collected by Major Harry Rawkins while he was serving in the British Army in Kenya during the Mau Mau rebellion against colonial rule in the 1950s.
Mr Rawkins was born in Buckinghamshire in 1913 before moving to Renhold as a small boy. He attended Bedford Modern School and went on to work for Charles Wells and the Prudential. A keen sportsman he also played for both Bedford Athletic and Bedford rugby clubs.
During World War II, Mr Rawkins served in the Shetlands and Orkneys before moving on to the continent, where he fought in Holland. After the war, he stayed in the Army and served in Kenya in the King's African Rifles. He later returned to Bedford and passed away in March 2007.
Bedford Museum does not own the objects, but is acting as a facilitator in the donation of these objects to the National Museums of Kenya.
The Museum was offered the objects by Mr Rawkins' family, but following discussions with the family and a number of specialists, it was decided that the most appropriate outcome was for them to be returned to Kenya.
The Kenyan Government is currently listing objects held in museums in Europe and the US that are considered of national importance with the long-term aim of their return.
Following the opening this year of a new EU-funded £6m museum in Nairobi, Kenyan heritage officials now argue that they have the facilities to look after even the most fragile items.