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A landmark achievement for Kenya as Gedi joins the World Heritage List
Gedi’s inscription on 27 July 2024, marked a significant milestone for Kenya, becoming the nation’s eighth World Heritage Site. This recognition by UNESCO underscores the profound historical and cultural importance of Gedi, and reaffirms its status as a cornerstone of Kenya’s rich and diverse heritage. Gedi stands as a remarkable testament to the Swahili culture that thrived between the 13th and 17th centuries. Its unique architecture, sophisticated town planning, and intricate water management systems highlight the ingenuity of its inhabitants. The site represents centuries of maritime trade and cultural exchange between East Africa and the wider Indian Ocean world. The development of the nomination dossier was possible thanks to the generous financial support of the Sultanate of Oman.
Presentation of the inscription certificate
During the celebration, Louise Haxthausen, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, presented the certificate of inscription to the President of Kenya. The celebration featured an exhibition on the Gedi World Heritage Site, offering visitors a glimpse into the site's unique history and significance, as well as mini-exhibitions and film on Kenya’s seven other World Heritage Sites, highlighting the nation’s unparalleled diversity in natural and cultural heritage. In a special feature, the event also commemorated the 40th anniversary of the discovery of the iconic 1.6 million-year-old Homo erectus ‘Turkana Boy’ which is considered the most complete early human skeleton ever discovered.
A Jewel of Swahili Culture, Gedi is surrounded by a coastal forest that was abandoned in the 17th century under mysterious circumstances. The site was a thriving urban settlement, and its exceptional architecture, defined using rough coral stone and earth mortar, reflects the prosperity and sophistication of Swahili culture during the height of its maritime trade networks. Gedi’s walls enclose the remnants of homes, mosques, and civic structures, as well as an intricate water management system that reveals advanced engineering practices. These features make Gedi a rare and invaluable representation of the Swahili civilization’s achievements in urban planning, architecture, and international trade.
The celebration was an apt recognition of Gedi’s global significance and a testament to UNESCO’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting cultural and natural heritage in Africa, in line with Priority Africa 2022-2029, Flagship Programme 3 . Kenya stands proudly with eight sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List, with Gedi joining the ranks of Lamu Old Town, Mt. Kenya, Fort Jesus, and the Kenya Lake System, among others, in showcasing Kenya’s outstanding universal value to the world.
The President highlighted Africa's rich and dynamic cultural and natural heritage, while also noting the continent's underrepresentation on UNESCO's World Heritage List, with only 147 elements, accounting for 10%of the global total. He reflected on this disparity, emphasizing the need to address critical questions about the methodology of current listing mechanisms, which are now being actively addressed with UNESCO's support.
“With support of UNESCO and the Government of Japan, Kenya will have the honour of hosting the International Conference on Heritage Authenticity in May 2025. I eagerly anticipate the Nairobi Declaration on Heritage authenticity which will inform necessary changes and enhance Africa’s heritage listing
President Ruto acknowledged the vital role of UNESCO World Heritage in championing the preservation of humanity’s most significant universal treasures. The President emphasized that such recognition not only drives sustainable development but also defines cultures, histories, and identities while enhancing livelihoods and promoting tourism.
