The Kayas began to fall out of use in the early 20th century and are now revered as the repositories of spiritual beliefs of the Mijikenda people and are seen as the sacred abode of their ancestors. Criterion (iii): The Kayas provide focal points for Mijikenda religious beliefs and practices, are regarded as the ancestral homes of the different Mijikenda peoples, and are held to be sacred places. The Kayas are under threat both externally and from within Mijikenda society through the decline of traditional knowledge and respect for practices. Criterion (vi): The Kayas are now the repositories of spiritual beliefs of the Mijikenda and are seen as the sacred abode of their ancestors. The integrity of the Kayas relates to the intactness of their forest surroundings which has been compromised for Kaya Kinondo.