The government through the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) is in the process of constructing a sea wall estimated to cost Ksh60 Million along the Indian Ocean in Malindi town.
The wall is meant to protect the historic Vasco da Gama Pillar from coastal erosion from the ocean waves.
While visiting the site of the construction, the NMK Director-General Mzalendo Kibunjia noted that the heritage site just like many others located along the shoreline was under threat due to rising water levels and erosion caused by huge sea waves.
He added that the foundation of the UNESCO World Heritage Site was slowly being eroded due to natural causes exacerbated by climate change.
He further called for more protection of historical sites from the ocean elements.
“Climate change is here with us and affecting world heritage and iconic sites across the world.
"We are doing everything possible to fortify the historical and cultural sites along the coastline to ensure they have not washed away and preserved for the sake of posterity," he assured.
He added that the sea wall would quell any fears of the historic pillar being swamped in the water and falling into the sea.
“As NMK we are determined to ensure that historical sites are taken care of and protected for posterity. To protect and preserve the historic monument which is a popular tourist attraction on the North Coast, the NMK embarked on the construction of this concrete sea wall,” Dr Kibunjia conveyed.
The site manager, Chihanga Donda, explained that the sea wall was designed to withstand the full force of the ocean’s waves in order to protect the endangered memorial pillar.
The government body had earlier completed the construction of a Ksh497 million structurally sound seawall at the Fort Jesus in Mombasa.
The pillar which was built by Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama in 1498 in the Southern part of Malindi Town is the oldest remaining European monument in tropical Africa and is visited as an architectural treasure.
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