WORLD WAR 1 CENTENARY COMMEMORATIONS IN TAITA TAVETA
August, 2014

The Association participated in the WW1 Centenary commemorations which were marked primarily in Taita Taveta County, with events starting from August 16, 2014. The events were led by the Governor of the County, H.E. Governor John Mruttu and county officials.

Taita Taveta County was the site of several important battles in what was known as the East African Campaign of World War I. The German Schutztruppe occupied Taveta and built fortified outposts with an intention of blocking the British from using the Voi-Taveta Railway. Major battle sites and commemoration locations include:

  • The German outpost on Salaita Hill where a big battle was fought on 12 February 1916, followed by a German retreat towards the Kenya-Tanzania border.
  • Latema and Rianta Hills where a major battle was fought between 12 and 16 March 1916, the final World War 1 battle in British colonial territory.
  • Mile 27 on the Voi-Maktau Railway
  • Fortifications at Maktau
  • Mashoti Fort
  • Mbuyuni

Commemorations also took place at the Voi, Maktau and Taveta Commonwealth War Graves. The commemorations were held in conjunction with the National Museums of Kenya, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, The Sarova Group of Hotels and the Kenya Wildlife Service.

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