The historic town and archaeological site of Gedi has been officially inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage Sites list, becoming Kenya’s eighth World Heritage Site.
The National Museums of Kenya announced the move on Saturday, saying the prestigious recognition underscores the sites historical and cultural significance.
Located in the coastal region, Gedi is a testament to the Swahili culture that thrived from the 13th to 17th centuries.
The ruins of Gedi include a series of stone houses, a palace and a mosque, all nestled within a lush indigenous forest, creating a unique blend of natural and cultural heritage.
The site reflects the rich history and sophisticated architecture of the Swahili civilisation, which is marked by its well-planned urban layout and intricate coral stone structures.
The inscription of Gedi underscores NMK’s commitment to playing its rightful role in conserving and promoting Kenya’s heritage for posterity.
Kenya's permanent delegate to Unesco Prof Peter Ngure said the inscription of the site is an outstanding testimony to the social and economic structure of its inhabitants.
“The property presents outstanding elements of construction techniques that blended the use of coral rag, coral mortar and earth mortar. The property also presents intricate water engineering techniques, which are evident in the proliferation of wells and storage facilities and its distribution and drainage, which are rare in a town of its time,” Ngure said.
“The inscription of Gedi is testimony to the fact that Kenya offers not only wildlife tourism products to the world but also interesting cultural heritage worth sampling.
"We express our immense gratitude to the Government of the Sultanate of Oman for the financial support that was instrumental in facilitating the nomination.”
Ngure appreciated the World Heritage Centre for its support under the framework of the Operational Strategy for Priority Africa 2022-29.
“We thank the African World Heritage Fund for the financial and technical support during the processing of the nomination. We express our gratitude to the county government of Kilifi and the people of Kilifi for the support and collaboration during the nomination process,” he said.
Director of Antiquities, Sites and Monuments, Dr Fredrick Manthi said: "We thank the NMK team that led the process and all our partners who provided either financial support or guidance that helped in the process."
The core team that prepared the dossier include Dr Purity Kiura, Dr Emmanuel Ndiema, Hosea Wanderi, Mohammed Mwenje, Ceasar Bita, Khalfan Bini, Saadu Rashid, Dennis Milewa, Doris Kamuye, Jimbi Katana, Jambo Haro, Mbarak, Stephen Okoko, Hussein Aden and Manthi.
They were supported by lead consultant Prof George Abungu, who is a former director general of the NMK, and Prof Chapurukha Kusimba of Zamani project in South Africa.
“We are deeply honoured by this inscription, which highlights the importance of preserving and promoting our cultural heritage,” NMK director general Prof Mary Gikungu said.
The inscription follows rigorous evaluation and endorsement by the World Heritage Committee, which acknowledged the site's outstanding universal value.
For a site to be named a World Heritage Site, a state party must demonstrate that it has outstanding universal cultural, historical, natural and archaeological value.
It should conserve and protect the most significant natural and cultural heritage globally.
It should also contribute to sustainable socioeconomic development, such as eco-tourism and providing critical ecosystem services for numerous communities.
This designation brings a renewed focus on conservation efforts and opens new opportunities for sustainable tourism, research and international cooperation.
NMK said it will continue to implement robust conservation measures in collaboration with local communities and international partners to protect Gedi’s archaeological and biological integrity.
Additionally, efforts will be made to enhance visitor experiences through improved infrastructure, educational programmes and community engagement initiatives.
Kenya boasts eight World Heritage Sites: Lake Turkana National Parks, Mount Kenya National Park and Forests, Lamu Old Town, Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests, Fort Jesus, Mombasa, Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley, Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site and now Gedi.