Turkana in northwestern Kenya is known as the “cradle of humankind” due to the high density and diversity of ancient hominin fossils discovered in the Turkana Basin, which have greatly advanced our understanding of human evolution.
Today, however, climate change is threatening this heritage. Rising lake waters and other environmental pressures have already submerged several historical sites, with fears that more could soon be lost as Lake Turkana continues to rise.
In response, the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) has launched a Professional and Scientific Training for the Development of Cultural Tourism program. The initiative is funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), in partnership with Sapienza University of Rome, a global leader in archaeological research and teaching.
The three-year program will combine both theoretical and practical training, carried out between Nairobi and the Lake Turkana region. Its goal is to build the capacity of a new generation of cultural tourism professionals who can safeguard and manage Kenya’s cultural and archaeological heritage more effectively.
The Lake Turkana region is of extraordinary significance, home to hominid fossils discovered across several sites within the UNESCO-listed National Park, alongside remarkable rock art. Yet, much of this vast potential remains untapped.
“Climate change is threatening the archaeological and historical sites due to rising lake levels in the Rift Valley lakes. We will not be just mapping and presenting maps, we will also document for posterity,” said Dr. Emmanuel Ndiema, Head of the Department of Earth Sciences at NMK.
The program will train fifteen early-career scientists from Kenya in fields such as earth sciences, GIS mapping, and tourism. “We will be working closely with the county government of Turkana and the local community, who are the custodians of indigenous knowledge,” added Ndiema.
Roberto Natali, Ambassador of Italy to Kenya, emphasized the value of the collaboration: “Italy is internationally recognized as an excellence in the protection and promotion of cultural heritage, an area in which the collaboration with Kenya paves the way for a genuine exchange of knowledge and expertise, generating mutual and lasting benefits for both countries.”
