Kenya ready to receive ‘Man Eaters of Tsavo’ from Chicago

By Ally Jamah

Remains of the infamous "Tsavo Man Eaters" kept at a US museum will soon be returned.

National Heritage and Culture Minister William ole Ntimama said yesterday the Government was in talks with the US to return the remains of the two lions.

"We are following all diplomatic channels to recover that important piece of Kenya’s heritage. We will talk to President Obama if necessary," he said.

The "Tsavo Man Eaters" are the legendary lions that killed at least 140 Indian labourers, building the railway line between Mombasa and Kisumu in the 1890s.

The lions’ skulls and hides are housed at a museum in Chicago, US. An Oscar-winning film was also made about the maneaters in 1996.

British engineer, Lt Colonel John Patterson, eventually shot dead the lions and sold their skulls and hides to the Chicago Field Museum.

National cohesion

Mr Ntimama also revealed new plans to build a museum and a cultural centre in each constituency to enhance national cohesion.

The minister was speaking at Hilton Hotel, Nairobi, after inaugurating a new governing council to manage the Kenya Cultural Centre.