The Nairobi War Cemetery which is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), is situated on Ngong Road, 10km outside the bustling central business district, which is the main road to the Government Forest Reserve. Nairobi War Cemetery is next to Nairobi Racecourse and is included within the Ngong Forest Reserve. It is reached by way of a long driveway off Ngong Road, the turning being indicated by a CWGC direction sign.
At the main entrance to the cemetery, there are stone steps leading onto a firm and level path. Access is through metal gates, with an approximate clear opening of 1500 mm for each section. All the internal paths within the cemetery are firm and grassy. There are also several level stone pathways within the site.
The cemetery has a Cross of Sacrifice, a Stone of Remembrance and two memorials; the East African and Nairobi Memorial. At the main entrance to the cemetery is a shelter building. Inside are visitor benches and a Register Box. The Stone of Remembrance is located on a raised platform accessible from the cemetery level by stone steps from all four sides of the platform. Around the cemetery are several stone and wooden benches for visitor seating.
There is an alternative access point to the left-hand side of the main entrance of the cemetery. The alternative access point is marked with a signpost and provides step-free access onto a firm, level threshold that opens into the cemetery.
Nairobi War Cemetery History
During the Second World War, Nairobi was the headquarters of the East African Force and the base for the conquest of Jubaland and Italian Somaliland, the liberation of British Somaliland and the sweep north-westwards to open Addis Ababa for the return of the Emperor. It was also a hospital centre; No.87 British General Hospital arrived in June 1943 and was still there in December 1945, while No.150 British General Hospital was there for a period in 1943.
The war cemetery was opened in 1941 by the military authorities. Besides the original burials, numerous graves were transferred to this cemetery from African civil cemeteries and temporary army burial grounds at Garissa, Gelib, Kinangop, Marsabit, Mega and other inaccessible places, so that it is now the largest war cemetery in East Africa.
NAIROBI WAR CEMETERY now contains 1,952 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, 11 of which are unidentified. There are also 76 non-war burials and one French grave. It was designed by G. Vey.
Within the cemetery is the EAST AFRICAN MEMORIAL, which commemorates men of the land forces who lost their lives in the advance from the south into Italian Somaliland and Ethiopia and during the occupation of those territories, and who have no known grave. Along with them are honoured those who died during the operations in Madagascar in 1942 and who have no known grave. Besides those who died in these campaigns, many men who were lost in the sinking of the troopship ‘Khedive Ismail’ en route to Ceylon on 12 February 1944 are commemorated here; they include a great part of the 301st Field Regiment, East African Artillery.
The cemetery also contains the NAIROBI MEMORIAL which commemorates 477 men of the United Kingdom, South African, and East African Forces who died in the non-operational zones of Kenya whilst in training, or on lines of communication or garrison duty, and whose graves could not be located or are so situated as to be unmaintainable.
NOTE: Visitors are also advised that a troop of wild monkeys often frequent the access road and the cemetery. Visitors should not approach or feed the monkeys as they can bite and scratch if frightened.
Nairobi War Cemetary Entry Fees
Entrance is FREE. So if you’re looking for some calm places to chill along Ngong road, this here is perfect.
Nairobi War Cemetary Opening Hours
Nairobi War Cemetery is open every day between 06:00 and 18:00. Wheelchair access to this site is possible, but maybe via an alternative entrance.
NOTE: There have been reported attacks in the vicinity of the cemetery therefore all visitors are strongly advised to take care and not carry any valuables when visiting the site. Visitors are strongly advised not to walk along the 1km access track to the cemetery from the main road but should travel to the cemetery entrance by vehicle only.
Nairobi War Cemetary Parking
There is a car park at the cemetery with space for up to eight vehicles. The surface of the car park is firm and level.
Nairobi War Cemetary Contact
Email: media@cwgc.org
