Kenya | World Heritage Explorer

Kenya has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1991. With 8 inscribed properties, the country maintains a well-established presence on the World Heritage List. The majority of its sites are cultural properties, reflecting a strong emphasis on historical and architectural heritage.

Kenya as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: June 5, 1991

Status: Acceptance

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 2005-2009, 2023-2027

Total of Mandate Years: 8

Total of Mandates: 2

WHC Electoral Group: V(a) (Africa)

World Heritage Sites in Kenya (8)

Cultural: 5 | Natural: 3 | Mixed: 0

Fort Jesus, Mombasa · Cultural
Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley · Natural
Lake Turkana National Parks · Natural
Lamu Old Town · Cultural
Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest · Natural
Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests · Cultural
The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi · Cultural
Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site · Cultural

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kenya.

Tentative World Heritage Sites (21)

Geometric rock art in Lake Victoria Region of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda · submitted: January 31, 2024
Nyandarua Mountains · submitted: June 30, 2023
Amboseli National Park · submitted: June 30, 2023
Coastal Forests of Kenya (Arabuko Sokoke Forest and Shimba Hills National Reserve) · submitted: June 30, 2023
Eastern Arc Mountains, Kenya · submitted: June 30, 2023
Mt. Elgon Ecosystem · submitted: June 30, 2023
Mt Kulal Biosphere Reserve · submitted: June 30, 2023
Hell’s Gate National Park · submitted: June 30, 2023
The Stone Pillar Sites of Turkana Basin · submitted: June 30, 2023
Olorgesailie Prehistoric Site · submitted: June 30, 2023
Mt. Marsabit National Park and Reserve · submitted: June 30, 2023
Maasai Mara Game Reserve · submitted: June 30, 2023
Kakamega Forest · submitted: June 30, 2023
Meru Conservation Area · submitted: June 30, 2023
Mfangano Island Rock Art Sites · submitted: June 30, 2023
The Marakwet Escarpment Furrow Irrigation System · submitted: June 30, 2023
Kilifi Caves (Panga Ya Saidi, Mawe Meru and Chasimba Caves) · submitted: June 30, 2023
The Meru Conservation Area · submitted: February 12, 2010
The African Great Rift Valley - The Maasai Mara · submitted: February 12, 2010
The Great Rift Valley - The Kenya Lakes System · submitted: February 12, 2010
The Tana Delta and Forests Complex · submitted: February 12, 2010

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Kenya

Official Name: Republic of Kenya

Continent: Africa

Subregion: Eastern Africa

UNESCO Region: Africa

Capital: Nairobi

Population (2024): 56,432,944

Land Area: 569,140 km²

Currency: Kenyan shilling (KES)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Kenya

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

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