Taita Taveta unveils battlefield tourism

TAITA TAVETA COUNTY: The county government has organised a series of events to mark Centenary celebrations of the First World War starting with an elaborate event next month to lay wreaths at the Taveta Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery (CWGC).

The county, which is spearheading the concept of battlefield tourism, is one of the few places in Kenya where Germans and the British fought pitched battles during WW1 German ruled the former Tanganyika colony while the British were Kenya's colonial masters.

Willy Mwadillo, vice chairman of the Taita Taveta WW1 Centenary Commemoration Organising Committee, said the county governor John Mruttu will unveil a new plaque before leading the laying of wreaths on August 15.

Other dignitaries at the function will include officials from the Kenya Regiment Association, members of the Kenya Armed Forces Old Comrades Association, representative of the British Legion, the OCPD and the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Mwadillo said the laying of the wreaths will be followed by an inter- denominational commemorative remembrance prayers which will be held throughout the county on Sunday, August 17.

"These will be led by two of the earliest Inland Mission Stations at Bura Catholic Mission and Mahoo Taveta Africa Inland Church, Taveta," he said.

Mwadillo said that a number of community activities will also be held at the same weekend including county football competition, rugby event, Hash House Harriers, bicycle race from Taveta to Salaita and back and a free eye camp by the Kwale District Eye Centre.

Mwadillo said the event proper, will be a three day activity starting from August 28 where invited guests from across the globe will be on hand to lay wreaths to honour the service that their fellow countrymen played during the East African Campaign of the First World War.

Veteran hotelier James Willson, whose book 'Guerillas of Tsavo' is beyond doubt the most accurate account of the East African campaign available today after he spent years carrying out research in Taita Taveta and elsewhere in East Africa, is slated to make a presentation on East Africa Campaign and Guerillas of Tsavo at the Voi Wildlife Lodge.

He also spent endless days to research old War Office records in the UK before completing and publishing his book in 2012, well ahead of the upcoming 100th anniversary commemorations.

Mwadillo said that the event proper will be a three day activity starting from August 28, 2014 where invited guests from across the globe will be on hand to lay wreaths to honour the service that their fellow countrymen played during the East African Campaign of the First World War.

Envoys accredited to Kenya from Britain and Australia will lead in the wreath laying at the Voi Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery.

On Friday 29, delegates will visit sites that served as battle fields in Mwashoti WW1before departing for Taveta town where a commemorative remembrance service will be held at the Taveta CWGC Cemetery with recognition of the Indian Cemetery.

There will be a dedication of memorial at the old Mahoo Church and Cemetery and a visit to Salaita Hill and Snipers Baobab tree before guests retreat to Taita Hills for a gala dinner where in attendance will be Taita Taveta County MCAs.