Taita Hills WWI Museum

The museum chronicles the fierce battles fought between the British and German forces along the border of British East Africa and German East Africa (present-day Tanzania) from 1914 to 1918. The Taita Taveta region is historically significant as the site where the first shot of the WWI land campaign in East Africa was fired on August 15, 1914. The museum aims to preserve the artifacts and stories of this conflict, highlighting the role of both military personnel and the local communities involved.

Key Highlights

1. Central Museum Exhibits

1. Military Diorama: The centerpiece of the museum is an imaginative, table-sized diorama depicting Mwashoti Fort, a key British hideout. It gives a bird's-eye view of the strategic terrain used during the 1914–1918 campaign.
2. The "First Shot" Memorabilia: Detailed displays chronicle the events of August 15, 1914, when the first shot of the East African land campaign was fired at the nearby Taveta Police Station.
3. Aviation Tribute: Suspended from the ceiling is a model WWI fighter plane, honoring the centenary of powered flight in Kenya (which began in this region in 1915).
4. Artifact Collection: Glass cases line the walls containing relics found in the hills.

2. Naval & Regional History

1. The HMS Pegasus Plaque: A significant brass plaque telling the story of the British cruiser sunk by the German SMS Königsberg during the Battle of Zanzibar.
2. Didactic Panels: Extensive photographic displays and maps curated with help from historian James Wilson, providing deep context on the "Schutztruppe" (German) vs. "Empire" (British) forces.

3. The "Start Point" for Battlefield Tours

1. Salaita Hill: Visit the site of the first large-scale engagement of the campaign, where you can still see original stone trenches and bunkers on the hilltop.
2. Mwashoti Fort: Walk the remains of the fort to see the sunken command post, perimeter breastworks, and machine-gun parapets.
3. Mile 27 Bridge: A site of a famous skirmish where German saboteurs attempted to blow up the Voi-Taveta military railway.
4. The Sniper’s Baobab: A massive, hollowed-out tree in Taveta where a female German sniper reportedly hid to pick off British soldiers.

4. Commemorative Spaces

1. Taveta Commonwealth War Graves: A nearby cemetery where soldiers from both sides, as well as the porters who served them, are buried.
2. Maktau Indian War Memorial: Commemorating the thousands of Indian troops who were part of the 20,000-strong force stationed at the Maktau camp.