Efforts underway to identify fallen African soldiers of World War I

ARNOLD LINGA MASILA- KNA

Efforts to identify the fallen African soldiers who fought and died during World War I are underway.

Speaking in Taveta during the eighth commemoration of the fallen soldiers at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, Deputy Commander of the Kenya Navy Brigadier John Kiswaa emphasized the importance of identifying the African soldiers who fought and died during World War I, particularly those who participated in the East African campaign.

Brigadier Kiswaa high lighted the ongoing effort to trace and recognize these soldiers, pointing out that many African soldiers and porters who served in the war remain unidentified, but stressing that their sacrifice was not in vain.

“It is important to note that we had African soldiers and those who participated as porters, providing logistical sup port for the war. Many of them lost their lives. They paid the ultimate price, but not in vain, because the peace we enjoy today is due to them,” Brigadier Kiswaa said.

He disclosed that strides have been made in identifying the fallen African soldiers alongside the porters, confirming that 12 names have already been identified.

“There is an ongoing effort to identify soldiers of African descent. As you may recall, there were many from different African countries, particularly of the Common Wealth. In due course, I am confident we will trace them one by one. So far, we have identified about 12 names,” he stated.

The two-day commemoration event began with ceremonies in Voi and Maktau before concluding in Taveta. The event was marked by a strong presence of residents and representatives from several countries, including ambassadors, diplomats, and military attaches from various Commonwealth nations.

The event paid tribute to the bravery of the soldiers who fought in the East African theatre of the war, many of whom paid the ultimate price in service to a cause they did not fully understand.

While the event recognized the soldiers’ sacrifices, it also served as a call to action for greater public awareness of the region’s historical significance.

Historian and retired hotelier Willie Mwadilo emphasised that Taita Taveta County, particularly the sites in and around Taveta, holds in valuable lessons about the World War I East African campaign.

Mwadilo called on both the local government and the national authorities to do more to promote the region’s his tory, which he believes could become a major tourist attraction and educational resource.

“The event commemoration this year looks low key, the reason being we have not given it a lot of publicity. Because it is being handled directly by KDF, Taita Taveta County needs to step in and leverage it, put up some adverts, and talk about it because this is a tourist product.

“Also, it is something that should benefit the community. We do not hear a lot being talked about at the museum in Taita Hills. That should be the beginning point,” Mwadilo stated.

He reiterated that the county has several important war sites, including the museum at Taita Hills and the battlefields around Voi and Taveta, which are authentic and irreplaceable, yet they are not as well-known as they should be.

“I would like to request the county government and all the bodies, as well as the government it self, to step in and help develop these sites. This product does not need to be developed. It is already there. What it needs is to be enhanced, and being enhanced is by every body coming in, and we pull resources together,” Mwadilo explained.

Meanwhile, the historian specifically pleaded for greater attention to the Kasigau area, which he believes bore the brunt of the fighting in the region. He called on the government to take the necessary steps to ensure that Kasigau’s story is told and that its role in the war is properly recognised.