NAIROBI, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Kenya plans to inaugurate the country's seventh world heritage site located in western county of Migori in mid-April in a bid to boost tourism, officials said on Tuesday.
Purity Kiura, director of antiquities, sites and monuments at National Museums of Kenya said the official inauguration of Thimlich Ohinga, literally referring to a "frightening dense forest" in Luo dialect, into a world heritage site, will boost the attractiveness of the western region to investors and tourists.
"The inscription of Thimlich Ohinga on world heritage list is a milestone and has already raised the site's profile globally. The site has gained traction among researchers, lovers of heritage and tourists," said Kiura.
She said celebrations to mark official listing of Thimlich Ohinga as Kenya's seventh world heritage site will be held on April 18 to coincide with the World Heritage Day.
Thimlich Ohinga, which is a five-century-old stone complex built by early settlers to protect them from invaders, was put on world heritage list in July 2018.
The architectural marvel that is located about 360 km west of Nairobi was declared the country's seventh world heritage site for outstanding qualities like preservation of a lost civilization, architectural prowess and its ability to showcase better interaction between man and nature.
"We call upon all stakeholders to make sure Thimlich Ohinga site is protected, promoted and used for local empowerment," Kiura said at a briefing in Nairobi ahead of the site's inauguration.
Okoth Obado, governor of Migori County said local authorities have set aside budget to cater for development of critical infrastructure like roads, power and clean water around Thimlich Ohinga world heritage site.
