Baringo County is seeking accreditation from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) as a global geopark.

In its application, the devolved unit has submitted more than 16 geo sites in the region, among them Lakes Bogoria and Baringo, Sinibo, Cheploch Gorge, Ling’ok footprints, Kipng’ochoch conservancy, Saimo-Relleng hotsprings hills, Paka caldera, Rondinin fossil archaeological site, Morop-Tarambas conservancy, and Kormoson ancient archaeological fortress, among others.

DnBaringoTourism2107z(2) — Flamingos at Lake Bogoria National Reserve in Baringo County, one of the tourists attraction sites in the county on July 19, 2021. The water level in lake rose covering geysers, but has begun rescinded exposing some of the geysers.

Photo credit: File | Nation

Once the application of the Baringo Great Rift Valley Aspiring Geopark is approved, the county will be the fourth country in Africa to get the status after M’Goun in Morocco, NgoroNgoro in Tanzania and Tunisia respectively.

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The proposed geopark showcases exceptional geological, natural and cultural heritage of global significance and aims to promote conservation of geo heritage, sustainable tourism and green investment, community empowerment and job creation, education, research and international collaboration.

Baringo has submitted its nomination dossier to Unesco for consideration, marking a significant milestone toward becoming Kenya’s first Unesco Global Geopark and positioning the country prominently within the Global Geoparks Network.

If approved, the designation will enhance Kenya’s global visibility, strengthen sustainable development efforts, and unlock new economic opportunities for local communities while preserving the county’s outstanding geological heritage.

Baringo County Deputy Governor Felix Maiyo indicated that the devolved unit made a decision to apply for the status because it prides itself on the diverse culture, geological sites and heritage that will allow it to be accredited as a geopark.

“Baringo County is seeking to be the fourth Geopark in Africa accredited by Unesco after Tunisia, Morocco and Tanzania. The devolved unit has submitted its application to the Unesco body in Paris. We look forward to a positive response, which we will have by September this year,” said Eng Maiyo.

dnbaringoboats2012as — Harrison Lempaine compete during the Baringo county Trade Fair and Cultural Festival boat racing at Lake Baringo on December 20, 2025.

Photo credit: File | Nation

“Currently, our teams through our various partners and agencies, including the geothermal development Corporation (GDC), Baringo County Conservancies association, Kabarnet University College and several other partners have come together to ensure that we are able to get the approval because a geopark involves several things including geo education, geo food, research and culture that will give us a stake in getting the status,” he added.

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In the county, he said, they have more than 45 geo sites, but have used more than 16 of them, whose infrastructure has been developed to make the application to Unesco for the accreditation.

“We are very positive in terms of acquiring the designation to be a geopark because this will bring in researchers to our county, which its benefit will go directly to our newly established university to help in pathological and geoheritage. We have even gone ahead to request the institution of higher learning to set up a department for the purpose of geological sciences which will work closely with the geological survey of Kenya,” said the deputy governor.

When people come and do research in the region, he said, there are some levies that will be placed on them, and several tourists will also tour the region.

“Several people in this region will also get employment because we will need geo guides to assist in accessing the geosites in our county- there are a lot of benefits if we acquire the geopark status, including putting not only Baringo but also Kenya in the international map,” he added.

DnEldBaringoTourism1602(2) — Scenic: A vantage view of Lake 94 (to the left) and Lake Baringo, in Baringo County, as viewed form Mairo hills, on the way to Mochongoi on February 16, 2023. The county is rich in tourists’ attraction sites which include geysers at Lake Bogoria, a snake park, among others.

Photo credit: File | Nation

The county chief warden and the proponent of the geopark initiative, William Kimosop, said they have already marked several trails in the region, and Unesco has supported them in the provision of experts since 2020, who have guided them on the process and also facilitated officials in the county to go for training in Ethiopia, Greece and several other countries.

For the past week, the county has been hosting a group of pan-African geologists from 10 African countries who have come for training.

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“The group is being hosted on Baringo for training because this region is a natural lab and they have also visited the geosites. They are undergoing training on how to set up a geopark in their respective countries and they are drawing examples from what we have done here. Though we have not been given the designation, we have knowledge and skills we have acquired that we can transfer to other countries,” said Mr Kimosop.

“Africa has a lot of sites that have international significance that could qualify to be accredited as a geopark, but the communities have a misconception about matters of conservation, having fears that their land would be taken. Geoparks are about people- no one moves them but partnering with the communities,” he added.

He indicated that they have a window period of three months, between now and April, to improve the infrastructure at the geosites, including access to roads, water, parking, toilets and visibility in erecting signage and others.

“Our resources are quite unique, and we saw this beyond the nature-based tourism, which will give rise to geotourism, which would draw people with an interest in adventure, including hiking, mountain climbing, cycling and others. If we get the status, we join a network of countries and nations that have developed this kind of tourism for a long time. It will open up new areas that we didn’t know existed,” noted the chief warden.

DnBaringoTourism2107f — A local tourist enjoys steam from a geyser at Lake Bogoria National Reserve in Baringo County, one of the tourists attraction sites in the county on July 19, 2021. The water level in lake rose covering geysers, but has begun rescinded exposing some of the geysers.

Photo credit: File | Nation

Baringo County is currently hosting the Pan-African Support to Geological Sciences and Technology training dubbed PanAfGeo+ at a Kabarnet hotel, bringing together geologists and earth science experts from Kenya and across Africa.

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The training is conducted under the auspices of Unesco, the European Union, and the European Geological Surveys, in collaboration with the Directorate of the Geological Survey of Kenya.

The week-long programme focuses on Geoheritage and Geoconservation, equipping participants with practical skills in identifying, inventorying, assessing, and managing geological heritage sites.

In addition to classroom sessions, the training includes field trips to selected geosites within Baringo County, allowing participants to undertake hands-on evaluation of geological features, discuss conservation approaches, and apply international best practices in real-world settings.

These field excursions highlight Baringo’s exceptional geological diversity and reinforce its position as a natural laboratory for geoscience research and education.

The workshop comes at a strategic time, following the submission of the Baringo Aspiring Geopark dossier to Unesco for consideration under the Global Geopark Network. The training strengthens local and continental capacity in sustainable geosite management while linking geoheritage conservation to tourism development, education, climate resilience, and community livelihoods.

The event further positions Baringo as an emerging hub for geoscience excellence in Africa and underscores the value of international collaboration in advancing sustainable development through earth sciences.

Read: Tourism takes a hit as Lake Baringo waters surge

dnbaringoboats2012js — Turkana Traditional dancers entertain during the Baringo county Trade Fair and Cultural Festival boat racing at Lake Baringo on December 20, 2025.

Photo credit: File | Nation

The proposed Baringo Great Rift Valley Geopark in Kenya forms part of the East African Rift system.

This geological structure is characterised by steep fault scarps, deep gorges, step faults, cliffs, escarpments, cinder cones, craters on the rift floor, box faults, a lake system, gushing geysers and hot springs.

The geosites are also home to unique animal and plant species, including those of global conservation concern, such as the greater kudu, lesser flamingo, African elephant, Rothschild giraffe, leopard, pangolin, pancake tortoise and sandalwood.

Unesco defines a Global Geopark as a single, unified geographical area where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education, and sustainable development.

It uses geological heritage to enhance awareness and understanding of key issues facing society in the context of the dynamic planet.

Therefore, the essentials of the global geopark include geological heritage of international significance, unified resources management, visibility and networking.

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fkoech@ke.nationmedia.com

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