Historic Sites in Kwale
Shimoni Ruins: The Genesis of Imperial Links
In 1887, when Zanzibar became a protectorate of Britain, E.N. Mackenzie and Sir Lloyd Mathews were deployed by the Sultan of Zanzibar to survey the ten-mile coastal strip and make treaties with local chiefs, allowing the British East African Association (BEAA), later IBEA, under Sir William Mackinnon, to build trade links between the coast and interior. Through the treaties, the chiefs were guaranteed protection and, in entente, a flag was raised at Shimoni on the present site of the fish market toilet marking it as British Imperial East Africa Company headquarters.
The flag area became the site for meetings with the Vumba from Wasini and the Digo, Segeju, and Kifundi from Shimoni. The hamlet of Shimoni, originally known as Chwaka, on the mainland opposite Wasini Island, while smaller in population to Tiwi, Vanga and Wasini, having 350 people living here by 1890, was centrally sited. Most Segeju now live on the Shimoni Peninsula, where they speak Vumba and related varieties of Swahili. The Segeju, renowned traders and mercenaries from Central Kenya, who migrated down to the coast, were allowed to settle on the land that they had conquered from the Vumba. All consented to the treaties.
Between 1890 and 1892, under the directions of Mr. Gilkison, an officer in the employ of the company, the Imperial British East Africa Company built a station. It was raised in part to boost their campaign against slave trade, while at the same time providing a key administrative outpost for enhancing alternative plantation imperialism. In 1895 the British Government took over the station and made it the Headquarters of Vanga District, after which the neo-name Shimoni became used.
The site was momentarily abandoned during WW1, all the while it was destroyed by the Germans. Later, the British rebuilt it in 1918, but closed it soon after, in 1924, when the District Headquarters was moved to Kwale. The appeal to the District Commissioner must have been made in 1923, or early 1924, coinciding with the transfer of the Headquarters of Digo (previously Vanga) District from Shimoni to Kwale. The transfer effectually took place on March 16th, 1924. Between 1890 and 1923 Shimoni outpost served as the headquarters for the British East Africa and a valuable station from which they swayed the Peninsula and South Coast region.
Noted among the historic sites at Shimoni are: a wall of the ruined prison, Kenya’s first, which is rumoured to have had underground passages to the Shimoni Caves although such claims have never been endorsed with proof; the Grave of Captain Frederick Lawrence killed during the anti-slavery crusade; Shimoni conservation area; the Kyangai (Kichangani) Mosque; the greying jetty; lush nature trail through indigenous vegetation showcasing plant species of the East African coastal flora, and of course Shimoni Caves. Shimoni Historic Site sits 5 km from Shimoni Caves.
Kenya is home to numerous historic sites that showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage, ancient civilizations, colonial history, and struggle for independence. These historic sites offer valuable insights into Kenya’s past and its diverse cultural heritage, making them essential destinations for visitors interested in her history.
Index of Historic Sites Around Kenya
Baringo County - Timboroa Railway Station, Bungoma County - Chetambe Fort, Kilifi County - Prince Henry the Navigator Monument, Vasco da Gama Pillar, Malindi Pillar Tomb, Portuguese Chapel, Malindi Butwani Pier, Kwale County - Shimoni Ruins, Lamu County - Shela Mosque, Lamu Fort, German Post Office, Siyu Fort, Machakos County - Macmillan Castle Sabuk, Fort Machakos, Makueni County - Gurdwara Makindu Sahib, Patterson Ruins Tsavo, Meru County - Kaaga War Memorial, Twin Baobab Trees, Giant Meru Oak, Mombasa County - Fort Jesus, Old Port, Sanaa Gallery, Leven House, Old Law Courts, Kengeleni Bell, Old Railway Station, Mbaraki Pillar, Fort St. Joseph, Kraph Monument, Fort Makupa, Arab Rifle's Monument, Mombasa's Tusks, Ras Serani Light, Mandera County - Fort El Wak, Nandi County - Kaptumo I Kipture Forts, Samiitui Aldai Historic Stone, Nyeri County - Old Ruling Court, Taita Taveta County - Kitchwa Tembo Hill, Salaita Hill, The Sniper Tree, Maktau Railway Station, Mwashoti Hill, Mwakitau Hill, Tana River County - Tana Delta Old Fort, Tharaka Nithi County - The Mutunguruni Tree, Wajir County - Wajir Fort, Ancient Orahey Wells, Orahey Bunkers, The Old Town Wajir
Historic Ruins along the Coast of Kenya - Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River & Lamu
Located along the Kenyan coast, and a hub renowned for its pristine beaches, rich cultural heritage, and breathtaking landscapes, Kwale County uniquely combines two of Kenya’s unsurpassed offerings – beach and safari. Kwale County is also a melting pot of coastal traditions, modern development, farming and trade to boot.
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A Guide to Kwale County
A Summa Digest of Kwale
About Kwale Way Back When
85 Destinations in Kwale County, arranged as one would visit these - north, south, east then south - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, maps and distance chart:
Shelly Beach, Time Out Art Camp, Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, Kutazama Lodge, Mandhari Lodge, Kimerimeta Safari Lodge, Baraza Park, Kwale Town, Shimba Hills National Reserve, Shimba Hills Lodge, Elephant Lookout, Sheldrick Falls, Shimba Hills Organic Farm, Nyalani Dam, WWF Nursery, Tiwi Beach, Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve, Kongo Mosque, Twiga Mosque, Diani Mosque, Diani Beach Art Gallery, Diani Bikes, Center Point Mall, Diani Beach, Almasi Art Agency, Diamond Leisure Beach & Golf Resort, Ali Barbour’s Cave Restaurant, Kenya Kite Masters, Kite Festival, Funguo Wreck, Swahili Beach Resort, Raydon Water Sports, Colobus Conservation Trust, Sails Beach Bar & Restaurant, H2O Extreme, Nomad Beach Bar & Restaurant, Baobab Beach Resort, Lantana Galu Beach, Galu Ruins, Bora Bora Wildlife Park, Skydive Diani, Kalista Bar & Restaurant, Kaya Kinondo (Forest), Kinondo Kwetu (Resort), Chale Island, Tulia Eco Garden, Gazi Beach, Gazi Mangrove Boardwalk, Gazi Ruins, Msambweni Beach, Munje Beach, Munje Beach Villas, Munje Ruins, Munje Octopus Closure, Funzi Island, Shirazi Ruins, Fikirini Caves, Hormuz, Pongwe, Shimoni Caves, Betty's Camp, Shimoni Ruins, KWS Shimoni Cottages, Wasini Island, Wasini Ruins, Wasini Boardwalk, Charlie Claw’s, Chambocha Cemetery, Wasini Dolphin Tours, Pilli Pipa Dhow, Blue Monkey Cottages, GVI Mkwiro, Mwaozi Tumbe's Gravestone, Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park, Sii Island, Mrima Hill, Maji Moto Springs, Vumba Kuu, Vanga, Vanga Ruins, Nyika Plateau
Know More About Kwale County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Kwale has monsoon type of climate marked by hot and dry weather from January to May and cooler temperatures from June to August. Average annual temperatures ranges between 24oC and 30oC.
Kwale is widely known for its 35 km long coast, where Diani Beach sits. Inland, the coastal uplands, commonly referred to as Shimba Hills, is a sharp elevation in altitude. The land then steeply falls again into the Nyika Plateau and Tsavo.