Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site

• Need to expanding the property boundary at the south-eastern end of the property
• Lack of exact demarcation of the extended buffer zone
• Lack of an indicator-based monitoring system

N/A

On 23 March 2023, the State Party submitted a report on the state of conservation, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1450/documents/, and provides the following information:

• The State Party is continuing to work on land acquisition to acquire land in order to extend the buffer zone on the western side of the property;
• A digitization project for World Heritage properties in Kenya has commenced;
• All projects undertaken at the property have been subjected to Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs) and archaeological surveys, although there has been little development activity in 2020-2021 due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic;
• A workshop with the community was held in 2022 to identify community priorities and uses;
• The property has been incorporated into a national tourism campaign, causing increased recognition and visitor numbers.

The progress made in relation to the extension of the buffer zone on its western side is welcomed as part of the Committee’s larger set of recommendations concerning the property boundary and buffer zone. The State Party advises that land owners have agreed to sell an area of 3 acres to the National Museums of Kenya to extend the buffer zone on its western side. It is important to again recall that the ICOMOS Evaluation of the nomination stated that property ownership was not a pre-requisite for extending the property, and that inclusion of areas outside of State ownership could also meet the recommendation of the World Heritage Committee. Decision 42 COM 8B.14 noted that processes for land acquisitions to extend the property boundary on the south-eastern end near the entrance to Koketch were planned for completion in 2020, but there is no update from the State Party about whether this has been completed. The State Party should be encouraged to submit a minor boundary modification once the recommended extensions to the property boundary and buffer zone are completed.

The State Party mentions that one additional archaeological survey has been undertaken, with the information accessioned by the National Museums of Kenya. However, there is no information provided about the recommendation regarding the documentation of the associated oral traditions of the property. Digitisation projects for World Heritage properties in Kenya include a 360 degrees virtual tour of the property which is oriented at visitors is to be commended. In addition, the State Party has initiated a national tourism campaign to increase visitation.

The State Party advises that the monitoring indicators are those that were outlined in the Management Plan. The Committee had recommended that these be provided to the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, but this has not yet occurred. The increased tourism promotion and visitation underscores the necessity of having an effective monitoring system in place.

The information about the community workshop is noted, and the reported desire for community involvement in the maintenance of the property is welcomed, as is the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) established between the National Museums of Kenya and the county government of Migori for management activities.