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King Charles III lays wreath at Uhuru Gardens

The King laid the flowers at the Tomb of Unknown Worrior shortly after midday.

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by LINDWE DANFLOW

News31 October 2023 - 10:13
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In Summary


  • The King also watered a fig tree (mugumo) at the same venue before taking a tour of the Mashujaa Museum.
  • Only a few journalists were allowed to move around with the King as he toured the area.
King Charles III laying a wreath at the historical Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum at the Tomb of Unknown Worrior on October 31,2023./DOUGLAS OKIDDY

King Charles III has laid a wreath at the historical Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum in Nairobi.

The King laid the flowers at the Tomb of Unknown Warriors shortly after midday.

Charles and Queen Camilla were received at the historical grounds by President William Ruto and his wife Rachel Ruto.

The King also watered a fig tree (mugumo) at the same venue before taking a tour of the Mashujaa Museum.

Only a few journalists were allowed to move around with the King as he toured the area.

All other journalists were stationed at a fixed position where they captured the King's arrival and laying of the wreath.

Charles and Queen Camilla are in Kenya for a historic State visit.

The King and Queen landed at Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Monday at the invitation of President William Ruto.

Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum is a commemorative park and museum in Nairobi that celebrates independence from the British Empire on December 12, 1963.

The Uhuru Gardens was officially declared as a National Monument in 1966 because of its historical importance.

Of importance to note is Kenya’s birthplace, this is where the first Kenyan flag was first raised thus marking the very first year of independence on December 12, 1963.

Within the garden are two monuments commemorating Kenya’s independence and a Mugumo (fig) tree.

The Uhuru gardens have three points of significance; The Mugumo tree is symbolic as it was planted on the spot where the Union Jack (British flag) was brought down and Kenya’s national flag was first hoisted.

The site was a diversity of native flora and fauna of the savannah woodland.

The independence commemorative monument, built in 1973, is a twenty-four-meter-high column, supporting a pair of clasped hands and a dove of peace.

This point celebrates the Declaration of Independence at midnight on December 12, 1963.

It also celebrates the inauguration of Kenya's first president, Jomo Kenyatta, on the same night.

On one side of this monument is a statue of soldiers raising the Kenyan flag

The third one is the foundation celebrating "twenty-five years of Uhuru-peace, love and unity monument".

In addition to its historical significance, Uhuru Gardens is poised to attract various events as a recreational park.

It is expected to be popular as a rest area for families and friends, a must-visit for schools and in recent times has gained popularity as an event for corporate launches, concerts, weddings, and film locations just to name a few.


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