Historic Sites in Mombasa

Old Mombasa Railway Station: Lunatic Express

On the morning of April 29, 2017, the last metre-gauge passenger train between Nairobi and Mombasa bellowed a full whistle stop to dock, for the very last time, at Mombasa Station, bringing to an end a 117 years history of a line that became something of a legend among travellers and historians. A legacy loved and loathed in equal parts! Among the milieu of detractors was Charles Elliot, first Governor of the East Africa Protectorate (later named Kenya and Uganda) who expressed his perturbations about the building of it, which, with an outlay of about six million pounds, on grants in aid without any appreciable return, was, in his assessment, an unnecessary expenditure that would remain a burden to the taxpayer. It was such a precarious costly engineering project that the British parliament suggested only lunatics would spend so much on a novel rail line to the middle of nowhere.

Oppositely, Charles Miller in his book “The Lunatic Express” paints a picture of pre-railway Mombasa as a scene of medieval depravity, drawing a line in time when European modernity burst into rural East Africa. Named for its ultimate destination, for which the line didn’t actually reach Uganda in its first attempt, work began in 1896 in the port city of Mombasa, to its terminus on the eastern shore of Lake Victoria. Everything from the carriages to the silverware was shipped from Britain – with little hope of the line ever being profitable. About 32,000 workers placed 4.8 million steel keys along the rail line. The local tribes indubitably resisted it. And the wildlife was predatory. In total 2,500 men died.

On December 20, 1901, Lord Salisbury, then British Prime Minister, received a telegram advising him that the rails – crossing two-thirds of Kenya’s length over 500 miles from south-east to north-west – had at last reached the shores of Lake Victoria. It had also left it its wake burgeoning towns and encouraged European settlement. Despite sparking outrage at home, it definitely led to much progress, for which Kenya is indebted. In 2014, the Government of Kenya decided the aging line needed replacing and agreed to pay the state-owned China Road and Bridge Company (CRBC) about 3.2 billion pounds to build, finance and, initially, operate a forward-looking Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) between Nairobi and Mombasa.

Since opening in May 2017, the new SGR became the newfangled line, built almost parallel the tracks of the old line and becoming an actor, by default, of generating the paradoxical effect of making the old one trivial. It is a poignant reminder of the passing of time, or, as experts warn, a predictor of future omens: But it does, at any rate, evoke a keen sense of sadness and regret to see the old stations en route Mombasa abandoned and falling into disrepair, fast. All in all, 50 stations were built along the old line, and between Nairobi and Mombasa and contrariwise you make a pass at Mazeras, Taru, Samburu, Bachuma, Maungu, Tsavo, Voi, Ndi, Mtito Andei, Emali, Sultan Hamud Stations and at the last Mombasa, perhaps the least dilapidated. It a fitting place to muse on Kenya’s first cross-country rail line.

Kenya is home to numerous historic sites that showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage, ancient civilizations, colonial history, and struggle for independence. These historic sites offer valuable insights into Kenya’s past and its diverse cultural heritage, making them essential destinations for visitors interested in her history.

Index of Historic Sites Around Kenya

Baringo County - Timboroa Railway Station , Bungoma County - Chetambe Fort , Kilifi County - Prince Henry the Navigator Monument , Vasco da Gama Pillar , Malindi Pillar Tomb , Portuguese Chapel, Malindi Butwani Pier , Kwale County - Shimoni Ruins , Lamu County - Shela Mosque, Lamu Fort , German Post Office, Siyu Fort , Machakos County - Macmillan Castle Sabuk , Fort Machakos , Makueni County - Gurdwara Makindu Sahib , Patterson Ruins Tsavo, Meru County - Kaaga War Memorial , Twin Baobab Trees , Giant Meru Oak, Mombasa County - Fort Jesus, Old Port , Sanaa Gallery , Leven House , Old Law Courts , Kengeleni Bell , Old Railway Station, Mbaraki Pillar , Fort St. Joseph , Kraph Monument , Fort Makupa , Arab Rifle's Monument , Mombasa's Tusks , Ras Serani Light, Mandera County - Fort El Wak , Nandi County - Kaptumo I Kipture Forts , Samiitui Aldai Historic Stone , Nyeri County - Old Ruling Court, Taita Taveta County - Kitchwa Tembo Hill , Salaita Hill , The Sniper Tree , Maktau Railway Station, Mwashoti Hill , Mwakitau Hill , Tana River County - Tana Delta Old Fort , Tharaka Nithi County - The Mutunguruni Tree , Wajir County - Wajir Fort , Ancient Orahey Wells , Orahey Bunkers , The Old Town Wajir

Historic Ruins along the Coast of Kenya - Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River & Lamu

Well-famous for its rich Swahili culture, stunning beaches, and vibrant nightlife – acclaimed as one of the top destinations in Kenya – Mombasa County is home to Mombasa City, Kenya’s second-largest city and a primary port town that has been a key trade center for centuries. Mombasa County is more than just beaches—it’s a cultural melting pot with history, adventure, and guaranteed coastal vibes.

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A Guide to Mombasa County

A Summa Digest of Mombasa

About Mombasa Way Back When

80 Destinations in Mombasa County , arranged as one would visit these - south, north then east - with the aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:

Arab Rifle's Monument , Buli Monument , Fort Jesus Curio Shop , Camel Joint, Old Town Mombasa , Fort Jesus Museum I World Heritage Site , Mombasa Butterfly House , Santo Antonio de Tanna , Swahili Cultural Center , Sanaa Gallery , Old Port Mombasa , Leven House I Steps , Forodhani Restaurant , The Mandhry Mosque , Burhani Mosque , Tulia Backpackers , Bahdala Mosque , Mazrui Cemetery , Old Law Courts , Treasury Square , Africa Hotel , Kizingo BBQ, St. Joseph's Fort , Ras Serani Lighthouse , Kizingo War Camp , Mombasa Golf Club , Mama Ngina Waterfront Park , Shelly Beach , The Likoni Floating Bridge , Mbaraki Creek, Mombasa Yatch Club , Mbaraki Pillar , The Mombasa Mbaraki Cemetery , The Little Theatre Club , Kilindini Harbour , The Mombasa Memorial Church , The Holy Ghost Catholic Cathedral , Lord Shiva Temple , The Old Mombasa Railway Station , Railways Park , Mombasa African Memorial , Mombasa’s Tusks , Fort Makupa , Kibarani Recreation Park , Akamba Handicraft Shop , Manyimbo War Cemetery , Tudor Water Sports Marina , Nyali Bridge , ACK Emmanuel , The Kengeleni Monument , Bahari Beach Resort , Tamarind Dhow Cruise , Krapf Memorial Heritage Park , Kenyatta Public Beach , Bombolulu Workshop , Haller Park , Mombasa Butterfly Pavilion , Bamburi Rifle Range , Mombasa Go-Kart , Suli Suli Fishing , Nguuni Nature Sanctuary , Mamba Village , Nyali Golf & Country Club , Wild Waters , Nyali Shopping Mall , Mombasa Marine Park I Reserve , Ngomongo Village , Shimo la Tewa Site , The Moorings , La Marina Restaurant

Know More About Mombasa County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - with the aid of a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.01?

Mombasa County can be split into 3 zones: 1. Coastal plain, covering parts the Island; 2. The hilly areas rising gently from 45 ms to 132 ms asl in the west; and 3. The Indian Ocean and the shoreline.

What’s The Air Like In Mombasa?

May is generally the wettest month, then April and June. Average temperatures are always high, rarely falling below 24 o C across the year.

Know More About Mombasa County…

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