Discover 195 National Monuments in Kenya

About National Monuments in Kenya

A National Monument, as defined by the Constitution, is a place or immovable structure of any age which, being of historical, cultural, scientific, architectural, technological or other human interest, or, a rock-painting, carving or primitive inscription made on an immovable object (s); or an ancient earthwork or other immovable object attributable to human activity; or a structure which is of public interest by reason of the historic, architectural, traditional, artistic or archaeological interest attached to it; or a shipwreck more than fifty years old, and such adjoining land as may be required for maintenance thereof. Kenya’s National Monuments are diverse, currently numbering almost 200 and include buildings, cemeteries, cultural groves, landscapes and archaeological locations.  Each of the National Monuments holds and perpetuates a unique story.  In the same light, a lot of effort is taken to preserve these sites in their original state so that future generations can understand the story of these places. In many ways the 195′ National Monuments are a physical calendar of Kenya’s unique history.

Value of National Monuments in Kenya

National Monuments and Museums alike tell the story of humanity through the ages and are an important part of the preservation movement. Monuments are “open museums” which preserve and protect fundamental resources, cultural heritage, history, and ecology. The long standing history of the coast region of Kenya is enthralling and enchanting.  Long before the arrival of the Portuguese, the coastal region had a long history of trade.  The history of the coast region post the Portuguese Era is marked by impressive historic monuments which although ecclesiastical constitute only a small proportion of the ancient ruins and National Monuments along the coast.  Further inland, and much later in the history of Kenya, battlefields, Churches, hideout caves hold an intriguing history of Kenya’s history. Kenya also has significant archaeological assets and is a long standing leader in Africa in the discovery of fascinating sites in the pre-history of man.  Although little-known, the varied archaeological sites in Kenya hold essential information on human evolution and are a surpassing patrimony.

Conserving the Heritage

The stories of Kenya’s diverse people and places are everywhere. These stories are found across the landscape of the nation, set in more than 300 historical destinations, national monuments and national museums.  Gifts from our past to the future generations.  In every county can be found historic destinations where our rich history has been preserved; from the coastal towns, through the gash of the Rift Valley, up the mountain ranges, across the semi-arid dry plains to the north-west. The Sibiloi National Park, which is famous throughout the world for its wildlife, also contains Koobi Foora, the most significant of several site in Kenya at which the remains of pre-historic man have been unearthed to provide links in the chain of human evolution. “As scientists, historians and archaeologists continue to uncover, study and promote access to tangible and intangible cultural heritage, there are ever increasing challenges that pervade these conservation efforts. Heritage conservation is threatened as the world globalizes and African economies open up to new frontiers of growth in the international markets while increased building construction, infrastructural expansion as well as terrorism tearing down existing heritage assets. Kenya in particular prides itself as a prodigious habitat for abundant and various natural and cultural heritage assets including archaeological sites, wildlife, landscapes and folklores. However, the different forms cultural and natural heritage take and the complexity of the conservation hitches are not congealed; in its place their constant and respective evolution requires continuous regeneration of competence, technology and value systems. Conservators must therefore seek to expand existing principles and practices in the management of cultural and natural heritage, including the assessment of values attributed to the heritage, questions of reversibility and replica as well as accessibility and security issues”.

Fort Jesus Unesco World Heritage Site

Fort Jesus was inscribes as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, as one of the most outstanding and well preserved examples of 16th Century Portuguese military fortification and a landmark in the history of this type of construction. During the 16th Century the Swahili towns remained generally independent of Portugal’s control and under the government of their traditional Shirazi ruling families. However, due to Portugal’s disruptive commercial policy, the 16th Century was a period of decline. During the second half of the century a new oceanic power, Turkey, made two brief appearances on the Swahili Coast and succeeded in inciting local revolts against the Portuguese. After defeating the Turks, the Portuguese decided to consolidate their power in East Africa by keeping a permanent garrison in order to ensure continued control on their dominions. The construction of Fort Jesus of Mombasa began in 1593 to the designs of Jao Batista Cairato, an Italian architect in the employ of Portugal in India. It is a heavily fortified building with elaborate outworks, moats and salients to counter the effectiveness and accuracy of the new projectiles. The salients were so arranged that any bastion could come to the aid of the other by means of crossfire. Its plan consists of a central court, with bastions at corners. Gunports and turrets were placed to control entering ships, and the main street.