The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Monday, November 8, announced the inclusion of Nakuru to the organization’s creative cities.
In a statement, Nakuru was included in a list of 49 cities that were recognised as new creative cities adding to the already existing 256 ones all over the world.
Upon the announcement, Nakuru becomes the first town in Kenya to be recognised as a creative city by the global body.
"Congratulations to the new 49 members of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network(UNCC). From crafts and folk art to design, literature, and much more."
"UNCC now numbers 295 cities reaching 90 countries that invest in culture and creativity, crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, and music to advance sustainable urban development,’ read the UNESCO statement.
Additionally, the Kenyan town was recognised as a crafts and folk art center.
The announcement by UNESCO comes after months of intense lobbying by the County Government of Nakuru that stated that the recognition would be beneficial to the county.
In a statement released by the administration on May 7, the county disclosed that the recognition as a creative city would be a stepping stone to the efforts of Governor Lee Kinyanjui in getting a city status from the government.
"The County Government is working to ensure Nakuru is designated as United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) Creative Cities Network as the town gears towards attaining a city status."
"The meeting involved discussions on ways of tapping into diverse creativity and achieving greater recognition of the county’s culture, ways of fostering long term economic growth in the county among others," read the statement.
Further, the county government added that the accreditation would help the devolved unit in tapping into the talent of the youth in the county.
"This will enable the county to be strategic in upgrading matters of culture and creativity hence create employment opportunities for the young people," read the statement in part.
Following the recognition, Nakuru joins other worldwide cities such as Mexico City and Montreal city in Canada.
