Moi Avenue's Famous Mombasa Tusks In Kenya

Enormous elephant tusks commissioned in 1956

The elephant tusks are today located on Moi Avenue, which is a road that runs West to East from Killindi to a roundabout towards Digo Road. The road is a two-lane carriage with a central median of approximately 3 feet (1 metre) that is filled with flowers and shrubs. The elephant tusks were initially made of canvas stretching over wooden frames on Kilindini Road but were later re-built out of aluminium and stand strong on Moi Avenue. These tusks are famous because of their history and the many things that they symbolise and represent. They were initially commissioned to commemorate the visit of Princess Margaret (Queen Elizabeth’s sister) in 1956, when Kenya was still part of the British Empire and I share with you photos in this article of how these tusks stood throughout time. The tusks are meant to represent the entrance to the city of Mombasa and were therefore to welcome Princess Margaret for her visit.

How can you see these memorable elephant tusks?

The reason that elephant tusks were chosen rather than any other item was because ivory was considered an exquisite commodity during the time that Kenya was a colony of the British Empire and it was felt that the elephant tusks would embrace Princess Margaret most successfully into this rather adorable destination. It has been said, however, that the elephant tusks represented more than an entrance to this city but rather to the whole North African continent because of the strategic location of the island of Mombasa. These elephant tusks are so famous that U.S. Marines often volunteered to paint the tusks whenever they arrived to the city of Mombasa.

Looked at from the correct angle, the four elephant tusks make the letter, “M” and represent the name of the city, “Mombasa”. You can either see them by foot whilst walking down Moi Avenue, which is surrounded by banks, shops and markets or whilst driving through the city whether it be with a tour operator, hotel taxi or a tuk-tuk (three-wheeled mini taxi). Due to how congested some of the streets of Mombasa are and can be, I would recommend that you take private and organised transportation, which allows you to pass through the elephant tusks. Due to the traffic, you will definitely have a chance to get some great photographs without even having to leave your vehicle. I am sure that you won’t miss them and will be able to see how they add value to Moi Avenue due to their symmetry and beauty, especially when the backdrop is a of a beautiful blue sky and/or sunrise and sunset.

A gateway to East Africa that represents hope

Situated directly between the port and the old town, the elephant tusks are one of the most well known landmarks in Mombasa and you will find postcards and replica souvenirs being made. You will find mini sculptures, fridge magnets and key chains from vendors on the street and beach and in large supermarkets such as Nakumatt. This landmark is important to the people of Mombasa and not only because of its history and the fact it represents a gateway to East Africa, but because today, it reminds them about equality, diversity and positive memories, which thereby give them hope for the future for this little island. During the months of Christmas and Ramadhan, the streets surrounding these elephant tusks are lit up and show that this city is all about embracing people of every background and welcoming them to East Africa.