MURANG'A: The County Assembly of Murang'a has urged for the enhancement and proper preservation of local cultural heritage sites to attract more tourists and boost the local economy. A report presented to the House emphasized the need for better protection and stakeholder involvement in safeguarding these valuable sites. According to Kenya News Agency, the Members of County Assembly (MCAs) noted that many cultural and heritage sites suffer from inadequate fencing and lack of clear stakeholder engagement in their preservation efforts. James Karanja Kabera, Chairperson for the Committee of Trade, Tourism, and Wildlife, presented the report, highlighting the potential of Murang'a County for sustainable tourism and economic growth due to its proximity to Nairobi and robust road network. Kabera pointed out that neglecting the economic and social potential of the tourism sector hinders its ability to transform lives. He expressed concerns about vandalism and theft, which threaten the integrity of the sites. Most cultural sites are managed privately, lacking public-private partnerships necessary for their protection. He criticized the current underdevelopment of tourism products, attributing it to limited budget allocations and insufficient legislation. The report recommends prioritizing the gazettement of all cultural and tourist sites to facilitate resource mobilization and prevent encroachment. Currently, only three out of six identified sites-Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga, Karuri wa Gakure, and Wangu wa Makeri homestead-are gazetted. The report also suggests the county should provide incentives for private sector and SME investments in tourism. Moses Muchiri, supporting the motion, called for strengthening the tourism development department and conducting a comprehensive mapping of tourism assets. Chef Man Njoroge, MCA Kahumbo, highlighted the importance of generating revenue through these sites, suggesting the use of multimedia campaigns for marketing. Other supporters include Steven Kimani and Edwin Wairagu.