A peek inside the Kenyan graveyard where 1,942 World War II heroes rest in peace

There is no place richer in Nairobi, Kenya than the Nairobi War Cemetery.
Sandwiched between the Ngong Forest Sanctuary and Dagoretti’s furniture makers, towards the leafy suburb of Karen, lies Nairobi War Cemetery where 1,942 documented heroes from the World War II rest in peace.

It is said ‘the richest place in the world is the graveyard’ and there is no place richer in Nairobi, Kenya than the Nairobi War Cemetery.

Located some 13 kilometres from the Nairobi Central Business District, the graveyard is one of the most famous graveyards ri in the world and rich in history, yet few people find time to visit it.

Here is a peek inside the rarely seen Nairobi War Cemetery.

Sandwiched between the Ngong Forest Sanctuary and Dagoretti’s furniture makers, towards the leafy suburb of Karen, lies Nairobi War Cemetery where 1,942 documented heroes from the World War II rest in peace.

While here, one won’t fail to notice the well-manicured green lawns and beautiful flowers next to each grave that welcome visitors to the cemetery.

The combatants fought under the Allied-forces led by Britain against the Berlin-Tokyo-Rome axis led by Germany.

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Albert Edward, a Lieutenant Colonel with King’s African Rifles who died at 68 years is the oldest while Arthur Lundstrom, David Philip, Donovan Bertram and Dennis Charles all who perished at 18 years are the youngest in the graveyard.

They are among the 1808 British soldiers at the Ngong Road graveyard, thousands of miles from their home country.

The cemetery is one of the 1.75 million World War graves, spread throughout the world.

All the cemeteries across more than 100 countries look alike, with the only difference being the trees grown.

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South Africa has 131 soldiers, while Australia, Canada and New Zealand all have one while no Kenyan soldier is buried there.

Army soldiers make up the highest number with 1960 graves, followed by Air-Force with 63 while Navy has 12 combatants.

Acelam Adoch, a private officer with the East African Army ordnance Company in Kenya was the last casualty from the war to be buried at the Ngong Road cemetery following his death on December 23, 1947.

The cemetery’s maintenance is funded by the British, Australian, Canadian, Indian and South African governments, ensuring a serene and green environment all year round.