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Community forced to pay tax to reclaim its stolen treasures

Kaya elders from Rabai sub county in Kilifi county attending a meeting with kilifi county governor Amason Kingi when they visited him at his office on Tuesday.  [PHOTO/JOSEPH MASHA/STANDARD]

The repatriation of treasured Mijikenda cultural artefacts locally known as vigango from the US has stalled after the Kenya Government imposed tax that has to be paid before allowing them into the country.

Vigango are carved, wooden artefacts between three and nine feettall, depicting abstract human faces and are erected as memorials.

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