The historical town and archaeological site of Gedi was inscribed on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List during the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi, India, from 21 to 31 July 2024. UNESCO is the sole global institution- United Nations agency with a mandate on Culture. The historical town and archaeological site of Gedi is Kenya’s eighth inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List of the 1972 World Heritage Convention. The List contains inscriptions of natural and cultural heritage properties from around the world deemed to be of outstanding universal values with strong attributes of importance to humanity. The prestigious inscription underscores the importance of Kenya’s world heritage to humanity. Present for the momentous occasion were H.E. Prof. Peter Ngure, Ambassador/Permanent Delegate of Kenya to UNESCO, H.E. Mr. Peter Munyiri, the High Commissioner of Kenya to India, Ambassador Mary Mutuku, Deputy High Commissioner, Ms. Jayne Kariuki of the High Commission, Dr. Ruth Dama Masha, Ms. Zamzam Ali, Ms. Agneta Karembo, Kilifi County Government, Ms. Akuorkor Plahar, Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Kenya to UNESCO, Mr. Dickson Ritan, Kenya Wildlife Service, Dr. Charles Lange, National Environment Management Authority, Mr. Hoseah Wanderi and Mr Hussein Ali, National Museums of Kenya, the National Focal Point for the World Heritage Convention.
In his remarks, H.E. Prof. Peter Ngure, Vice-Chair for the Africa Region on the World Heritage Committee, thanked the Committee and UNESCO Member States for giving the State Party of Kenya the opportunity to bestow to the world, the “Historic Town and the Archaeological Site of Gedi” – one of the most prominent Swahili city-states on the East African Coast. The property is an outstanding testimony to the social and economic structure of the inhabitants of Gedi around the 13th Century AD. The Ambassador spoke of the diverse natural and cultural heritage treasures of Kenya and thanked various stakeholders for their support in developing the nomination file.
H.E. Mr. Peter Munyiri in his celebratory remarks appreciated the uniqueness of the site, lessons from Gedi, its positive impacts on lives, and the commitment of the State Party of Kenya to conserve and manage this great resource for posterity. The High Commissioner also invited the 1500 Delegates present to experience the site by visiting Kenya and its marvels.
The inscription of the site has been reported by several key print and social media outlets in Kenya, the international heritage community and UNESCO. The inscription process entailed the mobilisation of funds by the Permanent Delegation for capacity-building for heritage sites in Kenya with support from the Omani UNESCO funds, the World Heritage Centre, and the African World Heritage Fund. The nomination file was further funded and developed in record time by the National Museums of Kenya and various stakeholders for submission into the nomination cycle, and follow-up meetings with the Advisory Bodies of the World Heritage Convention. Kenya’s dedication and efficiency in managing the site, developing the file, and the successful inscription of the site as Kenya’s eighth property on the World Heritage List, is considered a best practice and success story.
The inscription of sites to World Heritage status boosts community livelihoods and tourism, and provides for the promotion of cultural heritage and the creative industries. Further celebrations to mark the inscription will be held in Kilifi County and in various locations.
