A monument of the oldest remains of mankind in the world will be unveiled in Turkana this month.
The fossil of the Turkana Boy dates back 1.6 million years, making Turkana archeologically the origin of man.
The site of excavation has now been gazetted and a monument erected to preserve this bit of important history for man.
"The unveiling of Turkana Boy this month is the biggest opportunity for the county itself, the North Rift region and the whole country," Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie told journalists yesterday.
She was visiting the Turkana Station on the Kenyan Stand during the 49th International Tourism Fair in Berlin, Germany.
Kandie said the monument will promote pilgrimage tourism, whereby people will flock to Kenya to see the historical site of origin of man.
While Kenya has always marketed itself with the big five and the beaches along the coastal region, Kandie said the new strategy for tourism is to expand and diversify the tourism products.
Turkana Tourism chief executive Linus Ebenyo displayed and explained the various products Turkana is promoting at the German market.
The Turkana county team, led by the Deputy Governor, Peter Ekai, were also out to popularise the second edition of the Turkana Tourism and Cultural Festival, which will be held from August 27 to 30 in Lodwar.
Turkana Boy, with the slogan of 'Origin of mankind', featured the most at the station.
It also featured on the overall programme for the Kenyan Stand.
Speaking to the Star on phone from Lodwar town, Governor Josphat Nanok said he was excited that Turkana is going to give Kenya a turning point in tourism.
"Having worked as a Tourism assistant minister previously, I have always known that a change of strategy is what we needed. The only thing Kenya has and will never share with anyone in the World is the Origin of mankind,'' Nanok said.
Kandie said concerns over insecurity are being dealt with.
"We have recruited more officers into the forces and increased the budgetary allocation for security," she said.