Government to protect historic Portuguese Chapel from encroachment, pushes for UNESCO status
She highlighted the chapel's importance as a symbol of the shared historical ties between Kenya and Portugal and emphasised that its preservation is a national priority.
Gender, Culture, the Arts, and Heritage CS Hannah Cheptumo has vowed to take swift action to protect the historic Portuguese Chapel in Malindi from encroachment.
She noted that there are plans to secure a legal title for the site and to pursue its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site to ensure its long-term preservation.
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Speaking after a high-level meeting with the Portuguese Ambassador to Kenya, Ana Filomena Rocha, CS Cheptumo affirmed the government’s commitment to preserving the 16th-century monument, which is already gazetted as a national monument under the custodianship of the National Museums of Kenya.
She highlighted the chapel's importance as a symbol of the shared historical ties between Kenya and Portugal and emphasised that its preservation is a national priority.
“The Portuguese Chapel is not only one of the oldest monuments on the East African coast but also a vital symbol of Kenya and Portugal’s shared history. It is unacceptable that its integrity is being threatened by unchecked development,” she said.
The CS decried the increasing threat posed by unregulated developments around the site, warning that continued encroachment could compromise the structural and historical integrity of the monument.
She noted that the first step toward securing its future would be obtaining a legal title deed for the property in the name of the National Museums of Kenya—a move that will establish formal ownership and legal protection.
In addition to legal safeguards, the CS revealed plans to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the Portuguese Chapel.
“Securing UNESCO status will ensure long-term conservation and sustainable management of this heritage site in line with international standards,” she said.
Cheptumo added that these efforts are part of a broader national agenda to preserve and promote Kenya’s cultural and historical heritage. She said protecting sites like the Portuguese Chapel strengthens national identity, boosts tourism, and enhances Kenya’s global cultural diplomacy.
“This chapel stands as a testament to our interconnected past. We are committed to ensuring that it remains protected for generations to come,” she said.
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