The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is undertaking efforts to identify and commemorate Kenyan soldiers who served and died in the British army during the World Wars. Many of these soldiers were previously unrecorded, or their families were not notified of their fate.
Identification of Individual Soldiers
One identified individual is Mutuku Ing'ati, who departed his home in southern Kenya approximately 85 years ago and did not return. British military records, unearthed by the CWGC, indicate Mr. Ing'ati enlisted as a private with the East African Scouts in Nairobi and was killed in action on June 13, 1943. The specific location and circumstances of his death remain undocumented. Mr. Ing'ati's nephew, Benjamin Mutuku, was informed of his uncle's service and death by the CWGC. Mr. Mutuku, 67, noted that the Akamba ethnic group values burial near the family home and stated he had not been able to visit his uncle's tomb.
Thousands of Kenyan soldiers who served in the British army experienced similar circumstances, dying without their families being notified and being buried in unidentified locations. These sacrifices largely remained without formal recognition, in contrast to their European counterparts.
Discovery of Historical Records
The CWGC, in collaboration with the Kenyan Defence Forces, has discovered colonial military records in Kenya pertaining to East Africans who served in World War One. These documents, previously believed to be destroyed, have enabled researchers to identify over 3,000 soldiers from the King's African Rifles (KAR). The KAR, composed of East African soldiers, engaged German forces in East Africa during World War One and Japanese forces in Myanmar during World War Two.
Historian George Hay of the CWGC stated that these records provide personal stories for African families who may be learning about a relative's wartime service for the first time. Identified individuals include:
- George Williams: A sergeant major with the KAR, recorded as 5ft 8in (170cm) tall with a scar on his right chin, who received medals for gallantry and marksmanship. He died in Mozambique at age 44, four months before the end of World War One.
- Abdulla Fadlumulla: A Ugandan soldier who enlisted with the King's African Rifles in 1913 at age 16. He was killed 13 months later during an assault in Tanzania.
Broader Impact and Future Initiatives
Patrick Abungu, a historian at CWGC's Kenya office, stated that these records illustrate the extensive impact of the wars across Kenya. He indicated the ongoing effort aims to provide answers to families regarding the fate and resting places of their loved ones. Mr. Abungu also has a personal connection, as his great uncle, Ogoyi Ogunde, was conscripted into the British army during World War One and did not return.
The CWGC intends to construct memorials to commemorate the identified soldiers. Additionally, the organization seeks to integrate this historical information into Kenya's school curriculum to educate future generations on the role Africans played in the World Wars. George Hay emphasized the importance of this historical narrative being embraced by the local communities. The CWGC's initiative to recover details of Kenyan individuals who served in British forces and to commemorate every fallen soldier is stated to be an ongoing process with no defined end date.