Shakahola forest to be transformed into a heritage tourism destination

An entrance at Mekatilili wa Menza Malindi District Cultural Resource Centre in Malindi, Kilifi County on Friday. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

A monument to honour the revered Mekatalili wa Menza will be erected at Shakahola Forest, where she reportedly slapped a British officer, Arthur Champion.

Historical accounts indicate that the independence activist and spiritual leader action ignited the Giriama resistance against British colonial rule in 1913.

In the past Mekatilili was seen as a legendary figure, but last month her black and white photo was returned from a university in the United Kingdom.

Officials of the Malindi District Cultural Association, led by its secretary Joseph Mwarandu, said the picture was of the revered Giriama warrior.

“Our many years of searching for his photograph are a success. We now have her photo that was taken while she was detained in Kisii prison,” said Mwarandu, a lawyer and a Kaya elder.

The National Heroes Council Chief Executive Officer, Charles Wambia, said the Mekatilili monument will be erected at the infamous Shakahola Forest in Kilifi County.

He said the move would also transform the Shakahola area from infamy, following the death of over 450 followers of controversial pastor Paul Makenzi, into a heritage tourism destination.

The initiative is spearheaded by the National Heroes Council in partnership with the Kilifi County Government and the Malindi District Cultural Association.

Mekatilili, who led the Giriama resistance against colonial rule in 1913, will be the central figure of the planned monument.

“Mekatilili's act of slapping a white man on the Shakahola grounds was a significant event; her bravery marked the start of organised resistance against the colonialists," stated Wambia.

Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro said the monument would help address historical imbalances in the recognition of the Coast’s contribution to Kenya’s liberation struggle.

The county boss said that the project is expected to boost tourism in the county by attracting visitors interested in cultural and historical experiences.

“This recognition is important for correcting historical gaps and giving due visibility to our heritage. It will also open up this area to cultural tourism and education,” he said.

Mung’aro highlighted Shakahola’s potential to become a landmark comparable to the Gede ruins or the Vasco da Gama pillar.

“Shakahola is more than a monument; it is a classroom under the open sky. We envision it as a place where our children can learn history firsthand, where visitors can appreciate our heritage and where cultural tourism can uplift local communities,” he said.

Malindi District Cultural Association also welcomed the initiative, describing it as a long-overdue recognition of the region’s role in Kenya’s history of resistance.

Mwarandu of the association said the project holds deep significance for local communities.

“This is where the fight for freedom began. Mekatilili remains a symbol of resilience and unity for our people,” Mwarandu said.

An elderly Kahunda, Wanje Mlanda, says she got first-hand information on Mketakitlili's colonial resistance from her grandfather during one of their night meetings popularly known as 'dhome'.

'Mekatilili's story is one of courage and resilience. She stood against forced labour, taxation, and cultural erosion, rallying her people to resist British colonial authorities. ''Said Kahunda.

According to Kahunda, Mekatilili's leadership was extraordinary not only because she was a woman in a patriarchal society but also because she mobilised entire communities through traditional rituals, dances and oratory.
"For decades, her contributions were overshadowed by male figures and colonial accounts," she added.

Alongside the monument project, the National Heroes Council has called on members of the public to submit the names of other unsung figures who contributed to Kenya’s history as part of efforts to broaden the country’s official record of heroes. 

Once completed, the Shakahola site is expected to become a major heritage and cultural tourism attraction, combining historical preservation with educational opportunities centred on the Coast’s resistance narratives.