National Shrines in Kilifi County
Metatilili Wa Menza Shrine: Near Sabaki River
Born in 1840 as ‘Mnyazi wa Menza’ in the remote Bungale village, near the banks of Sabaki River, the lionized Mekatilili wa Menza, as she would be immortalized, was a lionhearted Giriama heroine. A powerful example of resilience and leadership in the face of oppression, as she infamously bore arms to vehemently oppose the colonial policies of the early 1900s, ergo in a generation of unyielding patriarchal dominance, deep-set colonial subjugation, and fear of standing up for freedom.
She became Mekatilili after the birth of her first son Katilili; The prefix “me” in Mijikenda being “mother of”. Applicably monikered as “the mad woman who rattled the British”, she made a boost to Kenya’s liberation, emerging as a powerful leader and mobilizing the Giriama people against their oppressive policies. Yet, it is her rhapsodic role in the empowerment of women that her selfless struggles will forever reverberate as betokening the strength of womanhood across Africa.
She was particularly at odds with labour enforcement. One of the watershed moments for Mekatilili wa Menza came in early 1913, when she led a large-scale rebellion against the British, organizing local meetings and rallies to encourage resistance. One of her notable actions was leading a traditional oath-taking ceremony (kaya) to unite her people. Indubitably, as was the case in the rest of Kenya, subdued by the colonial fundamentalists, her activities made her a target.
“Archival records show that Charles Hobley, who was the Coast provincial commissioner from 1912 to 1919, attributed most of the responsibility for Giriama resistance against colonial labour and taxation policies to ‘an old blind rascal named Ngonyo’ who ‘instigated a half-mad woman named Katilili’ to tour the country preaching active opposition to Government.” In short order, Giriama colonial system had all but shut down due to her efforts. All of which earned her the attention of the hardboiled British colonial administrator, Arthur Champion.
Mekatilili wa Menza was arrested on October 17th, 1913, in the company of a male leader of the Giriama resistance, Wanje wa Mwadorikola, and sentenced to five years. The were both exiled to the far-flung and unfamiliar town of Mumias in West Kenya. Remarkably, Mekatilili escaped from prison and returned to her people to continue the resistance. She was recaptured and imprisoned, again, and exiled to the outlying Kisii in Nyanza Province, but remained a symbol of defiance.
During here grey years, Mekatilili wa Menza spent the later years of her life in a homely hollowed Baobab at Bungale village of Sabaki. The dancing that she engaged in is called kifudu. It is a type of ecstatic dance usually reserved for funeral ceremonies, which meant the sight of an elderly woman excitedly jittering from town to town was somewhat unusual. Menza’s kifudu attracted a crowd of onlookers wherever she went, and soon the viewers became devoted followers.
Mekatilili wa Menza died in 1924. While her prime rebellion only lasted one year, from 1913 to 1914, it left a considerable legacy and had an immense impact. Mekatilili’s efforts significantly contributed to the early anti-colonial movement in Kenya. Although the Giriama uprising was eventually suppressed, her bravery inspired future generations of freedom fighters. Her story is a testament to the power of grassroots resistance and the role of women in the fight for governance.
Shrines – big and small – hold significant religious, historical, or political import and serve as symbols of identity, remembrance, and reverence. These sites also play important roles in preserving Kenya’s collective memory, fostering unity, and promoting patriotism: Places of reflection and commemoration for sacrifices and achievements made by past generations, and honored for future prosperity.
Index of National Shrines in Kenya
Baringo County - Kolloa Cross Shrine, Homa Bay County - Tom Mboya Mausoleum, Kakamega County - The Muliro Gardens, Kericho County - Gurdwara Sahib, Kericho Wagon Works, Tulwap Kipsigis Hill, Kiambu County - Travellers Chapel, Scott Watson Memorial Church, Kilifi County - Mekatilili wa Menza Shrine, Ronald Ngala Mausoleum, Kitui County - Museve Shrine, Mombasa County - The Swaminarayan Indian Temple, Johann Krapf Memorial Shrine, Nairobi County - Resurrection Garden, Jomo Kenyatta Mausoleum, Mashujaa Monument, City Park, Uhuru Gardens, Nakuru County - Marian Shrine, Nandi County - Mberere Holy Springs, Kabiyet Shrine, Nyeri County - African Bible on the Ground Shrine, Dedan Kimathi Trench, The Mau Mau Post Office, Irene Nyaatha Shrine, Meru County - Kaaga War Memorial, Muranga County - Wangu Wa Makeri Shrine, Mukurwe Wa Nyagathanga Shrine, Tana River County - Mau Mau Hola Memorial Monument, Uasin Gishu County - Alexander Kipsang Muge Mausoleum, Wajir County - Wagalla Memorial Monument, Vihiga County - Chabuga Mausoleum
Touring Kilifi County offers a delightful blend of coastal beauty, lovely beaches, cultural richness, natural wonders, and fascinating ancient ruins. Whether you’re seeking pristine beaches, historical sites, or vibrant cultural experiences – or a combination, Kilifi promises a memorable and enriching travel experience.
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A Guide to Kilifi County
A Summa Digest of Kilifi
About Kilifi Way Back When
95 Destinations in Kilifi County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north, east then north - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Shimo la Tewa Prison, Mtwapa Creek, Mtwapa Ruins, The Moorings, La Marina Restaurant, Jumba la Mtwana, Kikambala Beach, Vipingo Mosque Ruins, Kinuni Ruins, Kuruwitu Conservancy, Neem Tree House, Vipingo Ridge, Chasimba Cave, Kilifi Sisal Plantations, Vuma Cliffs, Old Town Takaungu, Takaungu Creek, Kitoka Ruins, Takaungu House, Beneath the Baobab Festival, Kilifi Creek, Kilifi Bridge, Kilifi Boatyard, Distant Relatives Lodge, Mnarani Ruins, Mnarani Snake Park, 3 Degrees South, Kamili House, Mazingira Park, Bofa Beach, Saltys Kitesurfing Bar & Restaurant, Bush Baby Kilifi, Casa Dalton, Panga ya Saidi Cave, River Rare Geo Park, Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Mwangea Hills Forest, Watamu Marine National Park, Uyombo Ruins, Rock & Sea Resort, Mida Creek, Sudi Island, Kirepwe Ruins, Watamu Beach, Ocean Sports Watamu, Medina Palms, Hemimways Watamu, A Rocha Eco Lodge & Conservation Centre, Watamu Treehouse, Garoda Beach, Tribe Watersports, Kite House, Local Ocean Conservation, Bio-Ken Snake Farm, Kiburugeni Ruins, Mgangani Ruins, Mida Creek Nature Camp, Gede Ruins, Kipepeo Butterfly Farm, Malindi Museum, Henry the Navigator Monument, Malindi Pier, Malindi Pillar Tomb, Malindi Waterfront Park, Portuguese Chapel, Vasco da Gama Pillar, Malindi Beach, Ndoro Sculpture Garden, White Elephant Sea & Art Lodge, Malindi Crocodile & Snake Farm, Malindi Marine National Park, Malaika Beach Sunbeds & Restaurant, Sawa Sawa Dhow Excursions, Lo Sfizio Coffee Shop, Lennox Art Gallery, Falconry of Kenya, Hanging Gardens, Malindi Golf & Country Club, River Sabaki Delta, Marafa Depression, Dakacha Woodland, Mekatilili wa Menza Site, Mambrui Dunes, Mambrui, Mambrui Tombs, Kibirakani Ruins, Che Shale Hotel Kitesurf Center, Ngomeni Shipwreck, Luigi Broglio Space Centre, The Nyika Plateau, Galana Conservancy, Ngala Mausoleum, Rabai Museum, Kaya Kambe Shrine, Thomas Wakefield Memorial Church
Know More About Kilifi County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Kilifi can be split into three zones – the narrow coastal plain, varying in width from 3 kms to 20 km; few coastal hills lying below 30 ms asl, and the Nyika Plateau rising from 100ms to 340 ms asl.
For the greater part of the year, the climate along the coastal plain is pleasurable, though humid. Temperature ranges between 21C and 30C along the coast, and between 30C and 34C further inland.
