The Kenyan government recently elevated 21 historical sites in the towns of Nairobi, Machakos and the coastal region to national monuments. The elevation comes barely a month after President Barack Obama, who will be visiting Kenya later in the year in July, also designated three new national monuments in the USA.

Obama also announced a new initiative to increase the number of children who visit national parks. A majority of the Kenyan monuments are man-made and seem to be aimed towards promoting the increasingly popular battlefield tourism that is already well-established in neighbouring Tanzania.

This now brings the total number of monuments in Kenya to 229. It is not clear what criterion was used to identify the monuments or how the 3 areas were selected but what is clear is that the government of Kenya is committed to preserving a piece of the country’s priceless heritage while also diversifying tourism offerings.

Controversy has surrounded a number of past monuments and hence for the 21, a window period of 60 days from the day the announcement was made has been provided during which you can challenge the list. This will ensure wider participation in arriving at the final list.

Do you agree these 21 historical sites deserve to become National Monuments? Share your thoughts and suggestions. In the meantime, here is the full list.