Crumbling Legacies: The Impact of Climate Change on Immovable Heritage in the Kenyan Coast
Climate change was not on the agenda in 1966 when ICOMOS was founded with the mission to work on the conservation and protection of cultural heritage places. More traditionally understood threats to heritage, like conflict, rapid urban development and disasters, loomed large then. Yet today, climate change has become one of the most significant and fastest-growing threats to people and their cultural heritage worldwide. Unequivocal scientific evidence shows that unprecedented concentrations of greenhouse gases, driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, are contributing to climate change, including warming of the oceans and atmosphere, sea level rise and melting snow and ice. The impacts of these changes are already damaging infrastructure, ecosystems, and social systems, including cultural heritage that provides essential benefits and quality of life to communities.
The Kenyan coast is home to treasures that tell the story of humanity’s past. From the bustling ports of Mombasa to the tranquil lanes of Lamu, these coastal heritage sites are not just relics but living memories of Swahili, Arab, Portuguese, and Indian cultures woven together over centuries. Yet, these legacies are crumbling, not from the weight of time alone but from the relentless force of climate change. Rising seas, fiercer storms, and eroding shores threaten to wash away Fort Jesus in Mombasa and Lamu Old Town, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites that stand as testaments to Kenya’s rich history.
Fort Jesus, perched on a coral spur overlooking Mombasa’s harbor, is a fortress frozen in time. Built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, its star-shaped walls have witnessed battles, trade, and the ebb and flow of empires. It's coral stone, hewn from the ocean’s embrace, blends Renaissance military design with Swahili craftsmanship. Walking its ramparts, you can almost hear the clatter of Portuguese armor, the chants of Omani traders, or the footsteps of British colonizers. Today, it’s a museum, a cultural hub where schoolchildren marvel at artifacts and tourists trace the outlines of a cosmopolitan past. But the ocean, once its protector, is now its adversary. The sea level is creeping higher, rising a few millimeters each year, and with it comes tidal waves that gnaw at the fort’s foundation. Storms, more ferocious than ever, batter its walls, leaving cracks and peeling plaster in their wake. The salty air, carried by coastal winds, corrodes metal fixtures, while humidity fosters algae and moss that cling to the coral like uninvited guests. Heavy rains pool around the fort, seeping into its base, encouraging roots and microbes to weaken its structure.
The damage isn’t just physical. Mombasa thrives on tourism, and Fort Jesus is its crown jewel. When floods make roads impassable or storms deter visitors, the local economy falters. Guides, artisans, and hoteliers feel the ripple effects, and the fort risks becoming a distant memory rather than a living landmark. Yet, hope endures. The National Museums of Kenya, with help from global partners, has begun to fight back. Sturdy sea walls and breakwaters now shield the fort from the ocean’s wrath, built with marine-friendly materials to withstand the tides. Engineers monitor temperature, humidity, and salinity, using science to preserve history. Local communities, too, are stepping up. Educational programs teach residents and visitors about the fort’s value, fostering a sense of stewardship. School groups plant trees to combat erosion, and campaigns promote sustainable tourism. These efforts are a lifeline, but the costs are steep, and balancing preservation with public access remains a challenge. Fort Jesus stands resilient, but it needs the world’s support to endure.
Across the coast, Lamu Old Town tells a different but equally urgent story. Tucked on an island in the Lamu Archipelago, this 700-year-old Swahili settlement is East Africa’s oldest and best-preserved[1] Swahili settelement retaining its traditional functions. Its narrow streets, lined with coral stone houses and intricately carved wooden doors, reflect a blend of Swahili, Arab, Persian, and Indian influences. Lamu is alive with tradition—fishermen mend nets, artisans craft dhows, and the call to prayer echoes through the air. Recognized by UNESCO for its cultural and natural harmony, Lamu’s mangrove forests and coral reefs have long protected it from the ocean’s fury. But climate change is unraveling this delicate balance. Sea levels are rising, and high tides now flood homes and shops, eroding the coral stone that defines the town’s architecture. In April 2025, record-breaking floods submerged streets, leaving historic buildings waterlogged and vulnerable. Residents, who once trusted the rhythm of seasonal tides, now see these surges as a new, relentless threat.
Mangroves, nature’s shield against storms, are vanishing. Large-scale projects, like the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor project, have cleared swathes of these forests, leaving Lamu exposed. Storms grow stronger, acidification harms fish stocks, and traditional livelihoods falter. Tourism, a lifeline for Lamu, suffers when floods close heritage sites like Lamu Fort or deter visitors. The town’s cultural heartbeat—its festivals, crafts, and maritime traditions—weakens as communities face displacement. But Lamu’s people are not standing still. With UNESCO’s guidance, they’re restoring mangroves, replanting trees to reclaim the coast’s natural defenses. Community groups monitor sand dunes and aquifers, ensuring water security in a changing climate. Training programs are empowering locals with skills to protect their heritage, blending Swahili knowledge with modern conservation techniques. The Lamu Old Town Management Plan unites stakeholders, from fishermen to hoteliers, in a shared mission to save their home. These efforts shine as beacons of resilience, but funding shortages and the scale of the threat loom large.
The stories of Fort Jesus and Lamu Old Town are not isolated. Across Kenya’s coast, from the Vasco da Gama Pillar to the Gede Ruins, climate change is a thief, stealing history one wave at a time. The ocean, once a cradle of culture, now tests the endurance of these sites. But there’s a bigger picture. These aren’t just Kenya’s treasures, they belong to the world. They tell us who we were, who we are, and who we can become. Losing them would dim our shared heritage, leaving future generations poorer in spirit and story.
So, what can be done? First, we need policies that put heritage first, weaving preservation into national plans to tackle climate change. Kenya could lead the way, showing how to protect culture while adapting to a warming world. Second, money matters. Global funds and partnerships can ease the burden on local communities, ensuring resources for sea walls, mangrove restoration, and education. Finally, we need to learn from each other. Scientists, historians, and locals must collaborate, blending cutting-edge research with traditional wisdom to find solutions that last.
As the sun sets over the Kenyan coast, casting golden hues on Fort Jesus and Lamu’s coral walls, there’s still time to act. These sites have weathered centuries of change, empires, wars, and trade. Now, they face their greatest challenge. Let’s stand with the people of Mombasa and Lamu, not as spectators but as partners in preserving our crumbling legacies. Visit these sites, share their stories, and support the fight to keep them alive. The past is calling, will we answer?
References
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Written by Dennis Kioko
Bio about writer:
Dennis Kioko is a Master’s student in Archaeology at Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya. His academic interests centre on Cultural Resource Management, Heritage Policy, and Climate change. Passionate about safeguarding Africa’s cultural landscapes, Dennis explores how policy, science, and community engagement can work together to address heritage threats in the Global South. He is open to international collaboration on research projects and academic writing, particularly those that advance interdisciplinary approaches to climate justice and heritage preservation.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-mbandi-697aa1325