Maktau Indian Cemetery

War Memorial in Taita Taveta

Maktau Indian Cemetery: Relics of War

Mwashoti Hill (within the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary) and Maktau (mid-way between Taveta and Mwatate) were epicenters of troop mobilization. Mwashoti Hill (corruption of more shot) was the base for the Mashoti Fort, a busy stopgap post where British forces, some relocated from Kajiado area as reinforcement, fine tuned their military drills. It was strategically sighted with a clear view to Mt. Kilimanjaro, where the tactical Schutztruppe German forces were preparing an onslaught of the British forces. After the ravages of war, Taveta Cemetery was used exclusively for Indians and German soldiers while Maktau was for Indians.

Voi Commonwealth War Graves was earmarked for the British and their allies. Lieutenant William Dartnell, an Australian soldier who was awarded Victorian Cross, the highest military honor, is buried at Voi Cemetery. The small Maktau Taveta Indian Cemetery contains the graves of 29 Indian soldiers, of whom only 1 is identified. The Cemetery is situated 220 metres to the south west of the Taveta Military Cemetery with a self same four feet paling fence and laid to gravel over concrete. Notably, even in death, the Africans’ role, of which there were tens of thousands in the war remains unacknowledged. The most visible indicator of this oversight is the presence of three officials Commonwealth War Graves in Taveta, Maktau, and Voi where no single African is buried in the Commonwealth Graves

Kenya has several war memorials that commemorate the sacrifices of soldiers and civilians during various conflicts, including World War I and World War II. These memorials serve as places for reflection and remembrance, and are important historical and cultural landmarks honoring those who fought and died.

Index of War Memorials Around Kenya



Isiolo County - Isiolo Memorial, Kajiado County - Kajiado War Memorial, Kiambu County - Kiambu (St. Paul) Churchyard Memorial, Thika War Memorial, Kisii County - The Kisii Boma Cemetery, Kisumu County - Kisumu War Civil Cemetery, Kitui County - Kitui War Memorial, Laikipia County - The Nanyuki War Cemetery, Marsabit County - Marsabit Cemetery, Mombasa County - Mombasa (Mbaraki) Cemetery, Mombasa Manyimbo War Cemetery, Mombasa African Memorial, Muranga County - Muranga (St. James & All Martyrs) Churchyard, Nairobi County - The Nairobi South Cemetery, Nairobi War Cemetery, The Nairobi African Memorial, Forest Road Cemetery, Nairobi (Kariokor) Cemetery, Nakuru County - Gilgil War Cemetery, North Nakuru Cemetery, Nyeri County - Nyeri War Memorial, Nyeri Civil Cemetery, Italian Memorial & Somali Wall, Taita Taveta County - Taveta Military Cemetery, Maktau Indian Cemetery, Maktau Railway Station & Cemetery, Voi Cemetery, Trans Nzoia County - Kitale War Memorial, Uasin Gishu County - The Eldoret War Cemetery, Wajir County - Wajir War Cemetery

Situated in south-western Kenya, and part of the Coast Region of Kenya, Taita-Taveta County is known for its stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage. The county features diverse landscapes, including the Taita Hills, which are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, and the vast plains of Tsavo, which are part of Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks – Kenya’s largest wildlife preserve.

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Guide to Taita Taveta County

A Summa Digest of Taita Taveta

About Taita Taveta Way Back When

85 Destinations in Taita Taveta County, arranged as one would visit these - north, west then south - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:

Chyulu Hills National Park, Kisula Caves, Kampi ya Kanzi Lodge, Tsavo West National Park, Kamboyo Lodge, Mzima Springs, Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, Ancient Roaring Rocks, Ngulia Hills, Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, Kitchwa Tembo Hill, Chaimu Crater, The Five Sister's Hills, Shetani Lava, Finch Hattons Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro, Lake Chala, Crystal Lake Chala Caves, Voyager Ziwani Tented Camp, Sniper Tree, Gicheha Ziwani Farm, The Njoro Springs, Grogan’s Castle, Mokine Hill, Lake Jipe, Lake Jipe Eco-lodge, Salaita Hill, The Taveta Military Cemetery, Maktau Indian Cemetery, Maktau Railway Station, Taita Hills Game Lodge, Taita Hills Museum, Sarova Salt Lick Lodge, Mwashoti Hill, Maili 27 Bridge, Mwakitau Hill, Lumo Game Sanctuary, Lions Bluff Lodge, Lualenyi Camp, Ndolwa Game Sanctuary, Dembwa Falls, Bura Mission Church, Vuria Hill, Taita Hills, Wesu Rock, Taita Rocks Hotel, Malowa's Shrine, Taita Skull Caves, Taita Research Station, Kilangarenyi Falls, Ngangao Forest, Kenyatta Caves, Mount Sagalla, Rev. Wray Memorial Museum, Ngutuni Wildlife Sanctuary, Volunteer International Camp Tsavo, Mount Kasigau, Kasigau Base Camp, The Maungu Plains, Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary, Wushumbu Conservancy, Teita Sisal Estate, Mbulia Conservancy, Tsavo East National Park, Ithumba Elephant Nursery, Yatta Plateau, Tsavo Springs, Emusaya Wilderness Arc, Galdessa Little Camp, Lugard's Falls, Mudanda Rock, Voi War Cemetery, Lion Hill Lodge, Kanderi Swamp, Voi Wildlife Lodge, Aruba Dam, A. Aruba Lodge, Nyiri Desert

Know More About Taita Taveta County: Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

The mean temperature in Taita Taveta is 23 Degrees Celsius, cooler around the hills and hotter on the Nyika where the Tsavos sit. Rainfall distribution is uneven, with the highlands receiving higher rains than the lowland areas.