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.
Mombasa County
1. Bwana Tamu
2. Kisauni Bell Tower
3. Mbaraki Pillar
4. Old Law Courts
5. Old Town Mombasa
6. Mama Ngina Drive
7. Leven House
8. Mombasa Golf Club
9. Trumpet Metal
10. Trumpet Ivory
11. Old Watch Towers
12. Jumaa Mosque
13. Luziwa
14. Riadha Uwani
15. Bwana Shali Patani
16. Pillar Tomb
17. Fort Jesus
18. Sante de Tanna Shipwreck
19. Ras Mtandanda Mosque
20. Castle Hotel
21. Holy Ghost Cathedral
22. St. Emmanuel Church
23. Babu Motors
24. Kilindini House
25. Ivory House
26. Issar Thawar House
27. Mombasa Dispensary
28. Central Police Station
29. District Officer’s Office
30. Anglican Cathedral
31. Mackinnon Market
32. Alidina Visram School
33. Gridlay’s Bank
34. National Bank, Mombasa
35. Shekh Mwinyime House
Homabay County
36. Kanam Prehistoric Site
37. Kanjera Prehistoric Site
38. Tom Mboya Mausoleum
39. Government House – Sori
40. SDA Church – Rapedhi
Bungoma County
41. Chetambe’s Fort
42. Muhanda Fort
Nakuru County
43. Lord Egerton’s Castle
44. Hyrax Hill Museum
45. Kariandusi Museum
46. The Kilombe Site
47. Lanet Prehistoric Site
Muranga County
48. Fort Tenan
49. Kericho Wagon Ltd
Kakamega County
50. Muliro Gardens
Kilifi County
51. Takwa Milinga Ruins
52. District Officer’s Office
53. Kaya Fungo
54. Kaya Kauma
55. Kaya Chivara
56. Mnarani Ruins
57. Mtwapa
58. Mambrui
59. Takaungu South
60. Da Gama Pillar
61. Kilepwa Island
62. Jamadra Mosque
63. Sheikh Said
64. Sheikh Othman
65. Takaungu North
66. Jumaa Mtwapa
67. Mgangani
68. Gedi Ruins
69. Bedida Sacred Grove
70. Kaya Mudzi Muvya
71. Kaya Lunguma
72. Muyu wa Kae
73. Kaya Fimboni
74. Kaya Mzizima
75. Ronald Ngala’s Site
Kwale County
76. Kongo Mosque
77. Diani Ruins
78. Kaya Diani
79. Kaya Muhaka
80. Kaya Galu
81. Kaya Kinondo
82. Chale Island Grove
83. Shimoni Caves
84. Kaya Bogowa
85. Kaya Gandini
86. Kaya Mtai
87. Dugumura Hill Grove
88. Kaya Kwale
89. Kaya Dzombo
90. Mrima Hill Grove
91. Kaya Ukunda
92. Shirazi
93. Tumbe
94. Tiwi
95. Kaya Mtswakara
Kajiado County
96. Selengai Stone
97. Selengai Wells
98. Olorgesailie Site
Muranga County
99. Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga
100. Fort Hall
Taita Taveta County
101. St. Marks ACK Church, Sagala
Lamu County
102. Pate Ruins
103. Brooks Quarry Site
104. Bwana Bakari Mosque
105. Ishakani I
106. Ishakani II
107. Ishakani III
108. Shanga
109. Omwe
110. Kiunga
111. Lamu Fort
112. Lamu Town
113. Manda Ruins
114. Mambore
115. Siyu Fort
116. Jamia ya Siyu
117. Lango la Shee of Siyu
118. Mwana
119. Lamu Catchment Area
120. Lamu Veterinary Office
Nairobi County
121. Nairobi School
122. Khoja Mosque
123. Old Mutual Building
124. Standard Chartered House
125. Pan Africa House
126. Royalty House
127. Imperial Chambers
128. British East African House
129. Bull Cafe
130. Prembro House
131. Pansoms House
132. Surat Association Building
133. Rahimtulla Trust Library
134. Bohra Mosque
135. 10 Year Nyayo Era
136. City Hall
137. Peace Pole
138. Global Forest
139. Jomo Kenyatta Mausoleum
140. Silver Jubilee Monument
141. Peace, Love & Unity Monument
142. The Judiciary Building
143. The National Monument
144. The Tetrahedron
145. Institute of African Studies
146. City Park
Kiambu County
147. AIC Church Kijabe
148. Italian Church
Samburu County
149. Kenyatta House – Maralal
Marsabit County
150. Sibiloi National Park
151. Railways Museum
152. Jeevanjee Gardens
153. Carlton Fenzi Memorial
154. War Memorial Statue
Nyeri County
155. Mau Mau Caves
156. African Retailers Traders
157. District Commissioner’s Office
158. Old Clock Tower
159. Nyeri Court
160. Ruringu Police Station
161. Ruringu Old African Court
162. Baden Powell Gravesite
163. Paxtu House
164. St. Peter’s Church
165. St. Curthbert Church
166. Mathari Mission Hospital
167. Italian Memorial Church
168. Italian Servant’s Monument
169. Queen Elizabeth Monument
170. Dedan Kimathi’s Trench
171. Mau Mau Fig Tree
172. Karima Hill
173. Burguret Mau Mau Shelter
174. Narumoru Mau Mau Caves
175. Nyeri Provincial Police
176. Nyeri Club
177. White Rhino Hotel
178. Tumu Tumu Church
179. Mau Mau Mass Grave
Kisumu County
180. Chemogoch Site
181. Songhor Site
182. Muguruk Site
183. District Commissioner’s Office
184. Brandman’s House
185. Provincial Commissioner’s Hse
Meru County
186. Thai Lake
187. Bututia Sacred Lake
188. Gituune Sacred Forest
Tana River County
189. Kwa Manawili Saba
190. The Shaka Ruins
191. Kwa Ungwana wa Mashaa
Migori County
192. Thimlich Ohinga
193. Macalder Mines
Nandi County
194. Kapurtay Prehistoric Site
Siaya County
195. Oginga Odinga Mausoleum

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.