Tourism players are banking on the untapped World War 1 battlefields in Kenya’s Taita Taveta County to attract more German and British tourists. The battles took place between 1914 and 1918 when German forces fought against the British.

The German soldiers came to Taita Taveta from Tanzania, which was then under their rule, and fought the British in Kenya, which was a Protectorate.

The Taita Hills were used as hideouts, battlefields, army camps and forts during this time.

Taita Taveta Governor, John Mruttu, said the County, with support from the Kenya Tourism Board, would promote the World War 1 battlefields to attract more tourists from around the world. He added that there was a need to combine safari and historic sites to woo more tourists to the county.

The historic attractions include Maktau Commonwealth cemetery, where Indian forces allied to the British are buried; and Salaita Hill, where World War 1 artefacts, including Pegasus guns, are displayed outside the iconic Fort Jesus building in Mombasa.

Another feature of the Taita Taveta battlefields is the famous baobab tree that was believed to be a hideout for a German female sniper during the war.

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