Kenya aspires to have the third active UNESCO Geopark Site in Africa
There are currently, only two Geoparks sites in Africa listed under the UNESCO Global Geopark designated sites: M’Goun (Morocco) and Ngorongoro Lengai (Tanzania). A third, aspring Geopark has emerged from Kenya as the “Baringo Great Rift Valley Geopark” seeking the approval of UNESCO’s Geopark Council. Located within the Rift Valley, Baringo is characterized by steep-fault scarps, deep gorges, cliffs, escarpment, lake systems, gushing geysers and hot springs. In addition, Baringo has rich cultural diversity and archeological sites believed to be the origin of mankind where the earliest human skeleton nearly six million years old, was discovered.
During the inaugural regional capacity building workshop on geoparks for Africa, Kenya showed her political commitment and interest for the geopark concept, as leaders led from the Baringo County leadership such as H.E. the Governor Mr. Benjamin Cheboi, Senators, County leaders, as well as Members of Parliament, and the Cabinet Secretary (Minister), Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage, Kenya were present. “The presence of the Cabinet Secretary, Governor, County leaders, and national leaders confirms indeed that the government has embraced the concept and a number of counties will start learning from Baringo”, said Dr. Evangeline Njoka, Secretary-General Kenya National Commission for UNESCO.
While speaking on behalf of Prof. Hubert Gijzen, UNESCO Regional Director for Eastern Africa, Mr. Alexandros Makarigakis informed the Delegates that UNESCO Geopark created in 2015 is the latest of the UNESCO designate sites, and as such brings a lot of evolution and new ideas. “Other than the geo-diversity and natural management we are looking at the issues of climate change, disaster risk reductions, education”, remarked Dr. Makarigakis. He further added that UNESCO is making sure it captures the local and indigenous knowledge and real involvement of local communities through the geopark concept.
UNESCO is about shifting the paradigm we have about sustainable development; we are looking more and more about living in harmony with nature and searching for nature-based solutions in order to promote socioeconomic development. That is why conservation and preservation of our bio- and geo-diversity is important. And geopark is a continuous effort that we continue to strive for.
The representative of African Geoparks Network, Mr. Driss Achbal from Morocco informed the delegates of the role of the Network, which is to provide a platform that will enable strategic promotion of geo-heritage conservation of geopark territory and geopark projects. In addition, “the network will provide support in the sustainable economic development of geopark area while improving the solidarity in the development of local products, geo-tourism, and tourism activities, geo-heritage and geo-education”, he added. He further added that the Network will enhance exchange of scientific knowledge, technology and expertise as well as education and awareness programmes.
While officially opening the first capacity building workshop on Geoparks in Africa, Hon Peninah Malonza, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage, Kenya applauded UNESCO Global Geopark bottom-up approach which is in line with the Kenya’s Government manifesto bottom-up economic approach.
The UNESCO Geopark is underpinned by the bottom-up model of development, and this is consistent with the government’s manifesto premised on the community taking a central role to push their social economic agenda
The three-day training from 13 to 15 December 2022, was a collaboration of UNESCO and the Global Geopark Network working closely with the regional network in Africa (AUGGN), as well as the Kenyan National Commissionsfor UNESCO. The workshop received support from the German National Commission for UNESCO and of the Government of Flanders, Kingdom of Belgium. The meeting had representatives from Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.