Unesco Lists Fort Jesus As World Heritage Site

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Brian Otieno

29 June 2011

The Fort Jesus National Monument has been inscribed into the World Heritage List. Unesco’s World Heritage Committee on Monday identified the historical fort, which is more than 400 years old, as one that has an outstanding universal value during the 35th session in Paris, France. Fort Jesus becomes the sixth Kenyan heritage site to get into the Unesco list.

Fort Jesus National Monument manager and the museum’s principal curator Mbarak Abdikadir said the recognition is a major win for the people of Mombasa and the Kenya’s tourism industry. “It means our efforts in conservancy and maintenance have been recognised. This is expected to bring in more tourists who wish to find out what makes this Fort unique,” said Abdikadir.

This listing comes barely a week after The United Nations World Tourism Organisation executive council visited the monument where a gala dinner was held.

The other Kenyan heritage sites to be inscribed in the Unesco list are the Mijikenda sacred Kaya forests, Lamu, Lake Turkana national park, Mt Kenya national park, and the Lakes system of Rift Valley which were inscribed barely a week ago.

A Kenyan delegation led by Heritage and Culture PS Jacob ole Miaron put in a spirited defense in favour of the inscription of the Fort. “The inscription will also allow for the ownership and greater participation by the local communities around Mombasa’s Old Town.

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