Baringo County, which aspires to be accredited as a UNESCO Global Geopark, is stepping up the preparation of a comprehensive application dossier to be submitted to the UNESCO Global Geoparks Secretariat by end of November, 2025. Experts in geology, cultural heritage and other related fields met with Baringo County Government officials to finalize the bid process.

The team is working to ensure that the documentation meets global standard. Should Baringo succeed in being designated as a UNESCO geopark, significant benefits will be realized in sustainable tourism, promotion of cultural heritage and environmental conservation.

So far, only Morocco, Tunisia and Tanzania have had successful bids for UNESCO Geopark status in Africa. Geoparks hold tremendous potential to drive sustainable development, especially in regions where natural heritage, cultural identity, biodiversity, and livelihoods are deeply interconnected.

The team is led by Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (KNATCOM), the designated national liaison institution for establishment of new geoparks in Kenya. Other contributors to the process include the National Museums of Kenya (NMK), State Department for Geological Survey and Research (SDGSR), State Department of Culture and Heritage (SDCaH), Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), Egerton University, Maseno University and Baringo County Conservancies Association (BCCA).

Professor Peter Onyango of Maseno University said the Geopark initiative is a great legacy for Governor Chebois administration because it makes Baringo two in one- the administrative component and the Geopark component.

Thanking the team for the dedicated towards the Geopark bid, Governor Banjamin Cheboi promised to support them achieve their targets. He promised to support technical experts. Give us a list of the gaps, the boxes that must be ticked, he said.

The process, which entails adhering to UNESCO Geopark guidelines, involves extensive networking and community engagement. The retreat is supported by UNDP-GEF Small Funds.