Taveta Military Cemetery

War Memorial in Taita Taveta

Taveta Military Cemetery: Relics of War

West of Salaita Hill at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro sits Taveta town, near the Tanzanian border, 124 km west of Voi on the road to Moshi. Taveta, or, as the native pronounce the word, Tuweta, the meaning of which in the local dialect implies “the plain”, is a term inter changeably used to refer to the town and the sub-county. Taveta town is the capital of Taveta Sub-county, 626 km2 in area, inhabited by the Wataveta. During WW1 campaigns in East Africa Taveta town was occupied by the Germans in August, 1914, retaken fleetingly by the 130th Baluchis in March, 1916, then, shortly, occupied by an Indian Field Ambulance.

Set back slightly from the road, on a square plot laid with gravel and scattered drought tolerant shrubs and surrounded by a 4 foot paling fence next to the DC’s office, Taveta Military Cemetery contains 188 burials of WW1 (1914-1918) including nine unidentified graves. The cemetery was used between March and April, 1916, after the capture of Latema Nek; but after the Armistice 137 graves were brought in. The important burial sites now represented at the Taveta Cemetery were those at Salaita Hill, Serengeti plains, Mbuyuni and Taveta German Hospital Cemetery.

Mbuyuni was a hospital centre, but the other three burial grounds are connected with the German victory at Salaita Hill on the February 12th of 1916, and the British capture of that position starting on March 9th. As the cemetery has no permanent staff, it is kept locked with coded padlock. If you are intending to visit this site, the code to the padlock can be obtained from CWGC office in Kenya on 254 20260 4301. The opening hours of this office are Monday-Friday 8:30-12:30, 13:30-16:30.

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

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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.