Source: CCTV.com

07-16-2008 09:01

Kenya has polished up some of its own cultural artifacts as it reopens its much-lauded national museum. It's in the capital Nairobi. The museum was built in 1930. It houses some of the country's most precious historic artifacts.

Photo taken on July 14, 2008 shows Nairobi National Museum after its  expanding in Nairobi, capital of Kenya. The museum is reopened to public on Monday after an 800 million Kenya shillings (about 14.5 million US dollar) expansion project sponsored by European Union since October  2005. The museum, doubled in size after the renovation, boasts upgraded modern facilities designed for exhibitions and scientific research.  (Xinhua Photo)

It was to be a symbol of the new Kenya, after the era of President Daniel Arap-Moi. It was to be a statement that the dark days of Kenya's colonial and early post-colonial era are ended.

Now, the doors of Nairobi's National Museum are open again after a 3-year facelift. Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki presided at the official opening on Monday.

Photo taken on July 14, 2008 shows the exhibits in the cultural exhibition hall of Nairobi National Museum in Nairobi, capital of Kenya.(Xinhua Photo)

The museum first opened in 1930. It now contains several galleries displaying various elements of Kenya's history. Under pillar of "Nature" five exhibitions have been mounted. The pillar of History has two exhibitions: "Kenya Before 1850" and "the History of Kenya".