MOMBASA, Kenya — The government has declared the Manyimbo World War Cemetery in Mombasa a National Monument, granting the historic site legal protection under the National Museums and Heritage Act.
The declaration was made through Gazette Notice No. 8991 issued by Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture and Children Services Hanna Wendot Cheptumo.
The notice states that the government considers the site to have significant historical value and has designated it as a protected heritage location under Section 25(1)(b) of the Act.
“The Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture and Children Services declares the following specified place which the Cabinet Secretary considers to be of historical interest, and a National Monument within the meaning of this Act,” the gazette notice stated.
Location and Legal Protection
The Manyimbo World War Cemetery is located in Tudor Four Sub-location, Tudor Location, Mvita Sub-county, Mombasa County.
The site covers approximately 0.1489 hectares and is situated about 21 metres above sea level.
The gazette notice also provides a 60-day period for individuals or organisations to submit objections to the declaration.
“Any objection to the declaration shall be lodged with the Cabinet Secretary within sixty (60) days from the date of publication of this notice,” CS Cheptumo said.
Link to World War II History
The cemetery was established during the Second World War as a burial ground for Commonwealth soldiers who died during the East African campaign between 1939 and 1945.
It contains 225 Commonwealth burials, including 14 unidentified graves, reflecting the human cost of military operations in the region during the war.
Manyimbo World War Cemetery is closely connected to Mombasa’s strategic importance during World War II.
The city served as a major naval base and logistics centre for Allied forces operating in East Africa, particularly during campaigns against Italian-controlled territories.
Mombasa’s deep-water harbour made it the only major natural naval base in East Africa at the time, giving it significant military importance.
Preservation of Military Heritage
The cemetery is maintained under the care of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), which is responsible for commemorating Commonwealth military personnel who died during the two World Wars.
The commission manages thousands of burial sites worldwide and ensures that the graves of fallen soldiers are preserved with dignity.
The new heritage status means Manyimbo World War Cemetery joins other protected historical sites in Kenya, reinforcing efforts to preserve locations linked to the country’s colonial, military, and cultural history.
The designation also provides a framework for conservation and recognition of the role Mombasa played in global wartime events nearly a century ago.
