Skip to main content

Distributed for UCL Press

Conservation of Natural and Cultural Heritage in Kenya

n Kenya, cultural and natural heritage has a particular value. Its pre-historic heritage not only tells the story of man’s origin and evolution but has also contributed to the understanding of the earth’s history: fossils and artefacts spanning over 27 million years have been discovered and conserved by the National Museums of Kenya (NMK). Alongside this, the steady rise in the market value of African art has also affected Kenya. Demand for African tribal art has surpassed that for antiquities of Roman, Byzantine, and Egyptian origin, and in African countries currently experiencing conflicts, this activity invariably attracts looters, traffickers and criminal networks. This book brings together essays by heritage experts from different backgrounds, including conservation, heritage management, museum studies, archaeology, environment and social sciences, architecture and landscape, geography, philosophy and economics to explore three key themes: the underlying ethics, practices and legal issues of heritage conservation; the exploration of architectural and urban heritage of Nairobi; and the natural heritage, landscapes and sacred sites in relation to local Kenyan communities and tourism. It thus provides an overview of conservation practices in Kenya from 2000 to 2015 and highlights the role of natural and cultural heritage as a key factor of social-economic development, and as a potential instrument for conflict resolution

272 pages | 6.14 x 9.21 | © 2016

Free digital open access editions are available to download from UCL Press.


UCL Press image

View all books from UCL Press

Table of Contents

"Introduction

1. Access to heritage conservation as a human right in Kenya

Anne-Marie Deisser and Ephraim Wahome


2. Assessment of legislation on cultural heritage resources
in Kenya

Mwanzia Kyule

3. The concept of intangible cultural heritage in Kenya

Orinda Shadrack Okumu

4. The conservation of public monuments as a tool
for building collective identity in Nairobi

Lydia Muthuma

5. Reflections on architectural morphology in Nairobi,
Kenya: implications for conservation of the built heritage

Muhoro Teckla, Munala Gerryshom and Mugwima Njuguna

6. The bao: a board game in Africa’s antiquity

Mwanzia Kyule

7. Traditional technologies: a conservation challenge

Freda M’Mbogori

8. Wildlife heritage ownership and utilization in Kenya –
the past, present and future

Francis Mwaura"

Be the first to know

Get the latest updates on new releases, special offers, and media highlights when you subscribe to our email lists!

Sign up here for updates about the Press