Cultural heritage preservation, biodiversity conservation, eco-tourism, community governance, water catchment protection
Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests Conservation
UNESCO World Heritage Site (2008) comprising 11 sacred forest patches across Kwale and Kilifi counties, homeland of the Mijikenda peoples.
AnnouncedJuly 1, 2008
StartedJuly 1, 2008
Financials
Offering PriceKsh 500,000,000KES
Timeline
UNESCO World Heritage Inscription
11 Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site
Encroachment Threats
Increased encroachment and illegal logging threatening several Kaya sites despite protected status
Scandals & Controversies
Encroachment Threats
January 1, 2020Increased encroachment and illegal logging threatening several Kaya sites despite protected status
Contractors
National Museums of Kenya / Kaya Elders
Conservation ManagementJoint management by NMK and traditional Kaya Elder councils
Politicians Involved
Mwai Kibaki
President of KenyaOversaw UNESCO World Heritage inscription of the Kaya Forests in 2008
Benefits
Description
The Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests are a series of 11 forested sites spread along approximately 200km of the Kenya coast in Kwale and Kilifi counties. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, the Kayas are fortified villages (kayas) established by the nine Mijikenda peoples from the 16th century onwards. The forests are maintained as sacred sites by Kaya Elders and represent repositories of Mijikenda spiritual beliefs, cultural practices, and biodiversity. Conservation is managed by the National Museums of Kenya with community Kaya Elder councils. Threats include encroachment, illegal logging, and climate change.
Overview
Unique cultural landscape representing 500+ years of Mijikenda civilization, combining spiritual heritage with critical coastal forest biodiversity conservation.