Monday, December 24, 2018
Migori residents have praised the United Nations for adding Thimlich Oinga, the 16th century archaeological site to the World Heritage List.
The news came at the time of the 42nd World Heritage Committee meeting on Friday under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The addition of Oinga makes the stone fortified villages, which were at the center of a disagreement between migrating Bantus and Nilotes, part of the 1,000 wonders of the world.
At a gathering in Manama, Bahrain’s capital, a total of around 30 chosen wonders of the world were vetted, with the site in Nyatike sub-county sailing through. The meeting will continue till July 4.
“We are happy that Migori has represented not only the nation but also Africa as the only site to be recognised this year. This will open the door for tourism and revenue for the country,” Migori Governor Okoth Obado informed the Star over the phone on Sunday. Nyatike MP Tom Odege was quite sorry that roads going to the site were blocked as there are no infrastructure development in the area.
“National Museums of Kenya (NMK) and Migori should use the status to upgrade the area,” he said. “Thimlich Oinga is poised to attract national and international tourists. We need its potential tapped through joint efforts by all stakeholders.”
Also, he observed that the area has Mugabo caves in Muhuru Bay, about 30 kilometers away, accommodating people at around the same time.
Approximately, 521 stone structures were there in the area around Lake Victoria, the most important enclosure being walls varying from one to three meters in thickness, and 1 to 4.2 meters in height.
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