Speaker of the House of Commons visits CWGC cemeteries in Nairobi

The Speaker of the House of Commons, The Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle, recently visited Nairobi War Cemetery and Kariokor Cemetery in Kenya to pay tribute to those commemorated at the two sites and learn more about the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s work across East Africa.

The Speaker was accompanied by His Excellency Matt Baugh, British High Commissioner to Kenya; Lieutenant Colonel Craig Stockdale, Deputy Commander of the British Army Training Unit Kenya; and Lieutenant Colonel Henry Russell-Blackburn, Commanding Officer of 1 LANCS.

Also present were Warrant Officer Keith Spike, Deputy Defence Adviser, and representatives from the Speaker’s Office.

During the visit, Sir Lindsay laid wreaths at both Nairobi War Cemetery and Kariokor Cemetery in honour of the servicemen commemorated there.

At Nairobi War Cemetery, the delegation was welcomed by members of the CWGC team and given an insight into the care and expertise involved in maintaining the site. The Speaker praised the work of the Commission and was particularly impressed by the cemetery’s high standards of presentation and maintenance.

The visit also provided an important opportunity to discuss the CWGC’s wider work in Kenya. Daniel Achini, CWGC Regional Manager for East Africa, and Patrick briefed the Speaker and the British High Commissioner on the progress of the Non-Commemoration Programme and the Commission’s plans for Kariokor Cemetery.

The delegation also heard about some of the challenges affecting the two sites, including the expansion of the road adjacent to Nairobi War Cemetery and encroachment around Kariokor Cemetery. The British High Commissioner and British Army representatives expressed their commitment to supporting the CWGC’s work wherever possible.

Following the cemetery visits, the Speaker and British High Commissioner met British Army commanders at the CWGC’s new office in Nairobi.