Kenya’s Defence Cabinet Secretary Hon. Soipan Tuya and visiting Indian State Minister for Defence Hon. Sanjay Seth jointly unveiled the India-Africa Commemorative Pillar at Mile 27 Railway Bridge in Mwatate, Taita Taveta County in recognition of the shared sacrifice made by African and Indian soldiers during the First World War (WWI).
The memorial stands as a solemn tribute to the brave young African and Indian soldiers who fought side by side and perished in the pursuit of global peace and stability over a century ago.
Approximately 50,000 Indian troops who fought in the World War I, passed through the East African theatre. While thousands never made it back home, the others fought alongside Kenyans who were part of the British King’s African Rifles.
Mile 27 Railway Bridge holds significant historical value, having been the site of a fierce tactical battle between British and German forces. On 19th September 1915, German troops launched a major ambush on a British relief convoy arriving by train, resulting in the deaths of 20 British soldiers. Although the Germans aimed to destroy the railway bridge to cut off British supply lines, they failed in their retreat, leaving the bridge intact and operational for British forces.
The commemorative ceremony was attended by the acting Indian High Commissioner to Kenya Mr Sushil Prasad and Assistant Chief of Defence Forces (ACDF) OPD&T Maj Gen Fredrick Leuria and area leaders led by Mwatate MP Hon Peter Shake and DCC Ms Miriam Tilas.
This joint memorial serves to solidify historical military ties between India and Africa while also reinforcing shared commitment to honouring those who paid the ultimate price in the fight for freedom and peace.
