Maktau Indian Cemetery
- Country Kenya
- Total identified casualties 15 Find these casualties
- Identified casualties from First World War
- GPS Coordinates Latitude: -3.40788, Longitude: 38.12987
Historical Note
At the time of construction, the casualties at this site were commemorated collectively on a memorial within the cemetery without their names. The individual graves were not marked, although the names of casualties known to be commemorated here were included in a cemetery register. In 2000, the names of all identified casualties within the cemetery were added to the memorial.
You can find more information about historical inequalities in commemoration in our Special Committee’s report.
Location information
This is near the South side of the Voi-Moshi railway line, a little West of Maktau siding.
Visiting information
ARRIVAL
The route to the cemetery is signposted.
PARKING
There is an expansive area at the front of the cemetery, where vehicles can park. There is space for multiple vehicles close to the main entrance. The ground is compacted soil and sand.
ACCESS, LAYOUT AND MAIN ENTRANCE
The site is square and enclosed by a tall green metal (security) fence.
The main gate is 3 metres wide, comprised of two sections that open inwards. The right section has a sliding latch, moved by a metal door-knob style handle.
In front of the gate inside the cemetery and at the gate are narrow kerbs, up to 5 cm high. Both are surrounded by aggregate, and the kerb at the gate is covered by aggregate.
There are no headstones in the cemetery. A red sandstone memorial, with name panels on each side is in the centre of the cemetery. The memorial is raised on a two-tier plinth.
The internal cemetery ground is firm, with the surface a mixture of gravel, sand, and earth.
ALTERNATIVE ACCESS
Access into the cemetery is through the main gate only.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The cemetery has no permanent staff and is kept locked with a padlock.
For access to the cemetery and code please call: CWGC (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) Kenya Office on 00254 20260 4301.
Opening Hours are Monday to Friday 0830 hrs to 1230 hrs and 1330 hrs to 1630 hrs, these offices are closed at weekends.
History information
The cemetery was used from March, 1915, to May, 1916, and it contains 16 graves, including 1 unidentified. At Maktau a small British mounted force was ambushed and destroyed on the 4th September, 1915; and later there were established at Maktau a fortified camp, a reinforcement depot and an Indian clearing hospital.