By Dorothy Musyoka
President William Ruto have called on UNESCO to urgently address disparities in the inherited concepts of authenticity that continue to shape international heritage recognition and preservation.
Speaking at the close of the International Conference on Cultural Heritage and Authenticity in Africa, held at the United Nations Complex in Gigiri, Nairobi, President Ruto emphasized the need to decolonize the standards of heritage authenticity.
The head of state underscored that current global heritage frameworks often lack space for non-material, living traditions, leading to under-representation of African heritage on the World Heritage List and similar platforms.
“We call on UNESCO to review the disparities on inherited concepts of authenticity that often give priority to material forms over Africa’s dynamic, community-rooted, and spiritually-inspired heritage,” stated President Ruto.
“Africa is a continent of immense authentic heritage that remains greatly under-represented on the global stage,” noted President Ruto.
The conference culminated in the launch of the Nairobi Outcome Document on Heritage Authenticity, a landmark statement that reflects Africa’s united stance on heritage representation and calls for an inclusive global heritage framework that genuinely reflects the continent’s values and lived experiences.
The Nairobi Outcome Document calls on UNESCO and other global institutions to re-evaluate and broaden the criteria for authenticity in heritage designation, ensuring that African perspectives, practices, and priorities are central to future policy and recognition processes.