The first of the Inland museums to be developed in Kenya.
Originally known as the Stoneham Museum, privately owned by Lieutenant colonel Hugh Stoneham — an amateur naturalist who lived in Kitale.
It was first opened in 1926, boasting the colonel's own collection of insects, animals, books and other artifacts from as far back as 1894 when he was just 5 years old.
After his death in 1966, the museum, and its funds were left to the Kenyan government.
A new building was erected on five acres of land on the outskirts of Kitale town, opening in December 1974 as Kitale museum.
By then, it was the first regional museum in the Kenya Museum Society.
Today, it has grown to include a lot more artifacts about the area and its people, animals and a large park used for conservation of plant and animal species, with a nature trail through it.
What to do thereLearn more about the history of the area, Lt. colonel Stoneham, its animal and plant species.
Or go hiking through the nature trail, with a chance to do some bird watching and picnics.
Best time to visitAny time of the year
Location of Kitale museumThe museum lies in the town of Kitale, about 380 km northwest of Nairobi — the country's capital.
It also is near the western border of Kenya, with the slopes of mount Elgon being about an hour's drive away.
How to get thereBy vehicle, air, passenger bus or walking — from within the town of Kitale.
There is an all weather airstrip in the area nearby, as well as a station for regional buses.
But for those with private transport, the road is tarmacked all the way from Nairobi.
