The government has announced a major plan to establish a 20-acre site for a monument to honour heroes who lost their lives during the colonial period and the fight for independence.
Speaking at the Chotoni cultural festival in Webuye, Bungoma County, on Friday, December 26, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said the monument will be located at Chetambe Fort in Webuye East. He emphasised that the initiative aims to celebrate locals who resisted British rule and preserve the community’s historical legacy.
Wetang’ula said the monument will serve multiple purposes, including being a historical landmark, a centre for culture, and a tourist attraction that will create opportunities for local businesses. He also encouraged investors to participate in developing the site.
"The government promised to build a monument in Chetambe to honor our heroes. The promise has not faded. We will look for land of about 20 acres, and we call upon investors to come and build the monument," Wetang’ula said.
The project will include a building complex that will house offices for community leaders, making administrative work easier. Wetang’ula praised the renewed Tachoni cultural festivals, saying that together with the monument, they will help maintain the community’s heritage and unity.
Leaders attending the festival called for increased funding for cultural programmes. Martin Pepela, Webuye East MP, urged, "Going forward, I call upon the county government to increase the funding for cultural festivals since it's a devolved function, so that every year we can celebrate our culture."
Bungoma Senator David Wakoli highlighted the role of culture in connecting the past with the future. “Our culture is not just tradition; it is our identity, our history, and our journey as a people. It connects our past to our future, and we have a collective responsibility to protect it for generations yet to come,” he said.
During the festival, Wetang’ula was formally installed as the Tachoni community spokesperson, a role he vowed to uphold with full commitment, noting the strong backing he continues to receive from the community.
Other leaders, including Senate Majority Whip Wafula Wabuli and Bungoma Woman Representative Catherine Wambilyanga, called for unity among the Luhya community, promising that 2026 would showcase stronger cohesion.
The idea to build the monument dates back to the early 1980s but was not pursued. In 2016, following appeals from local leaders, the government renewed its commitment to the project.
Chetambe Fort, located on Chetambe Hill, is a key historical site remembered for a major anti-colonial resistance battle and is currently privately owned.
