NAIROBI RIVER MAU MAU CAVE

This cave is located at the foothills of Mt. Kenya, in Naru-Moru forest block of Mt.kenya forest reserve. The precise location of the cave is 19.5km from Munyu junction on Nairobi-Nanyuki road, which is 11km from Kiganjo Police College junction. It is 200m right of Narumoru forest station towards Nairobi River. The adjacent Nairobi River is 200m down the steep valley on whose slopes the cave is situated.

From the Munyu junction visitors encounter vast tracts of ranching farms in this savannah range land. As one gets to the first shopping centre, one experiences a rapid change in both altitude and livelihoods. From the shopping centre on farmlands change to small-scale subsistence farming with a mixture of horticultural production. The roadside vegetation is characterized by thick undergrowth of green plants which indicates soil fertility. The forest reserve is a mixture of plantation and indigenous forests occasionally interrupted by green carpeted grass openings. The location of these caves is spectacular. Since they are mostly concealed by undergrowth and indigenous trees which include olive oak, cedar, they are easy to miss without guide.

The cave was discovered in 1953 by the Mau Mau freedom fighters that were fighting the British colonial government. This was after the declaration of emergency in 1952. Later in 1953, British soldiers captured and forcefully extracted information on the location of the hideout from the captives. This led to the attempted bombing of the cave which missed target and struck 200m away. The bombing however slightly destroyed the opening of the smaller cave while the main cave remained intact. This evidence is still intact to date. The Mau Mau forces left the hideout after that incident. Many years after independence, the cave was gazetted in 2003 by the museums of Kenya and was declared a national monument.

Million of years ago, the caves were formed through volcanic eruption of Mt. Kenya resulting to cooling of lava hence forming cave sediment rocks.

This cave has a significant place in the history of Kenya, and more so the history of the struggle for independence. They were used as military bases by the Mau Mau war heroes. Besides serving as a hideout, all freedom war plans were made and executed from these caves. The cave served as a workshop for home-made riffles and other military equipment, storage for stolen ammunitions, foodstuffs and other ordinances.

Attractions;

• Primate life; the indigenous forest acts as a habitat to primate life especially Columbus monkeys.
• Birds life; a variety of birds are found in the forests surrounding the caves.
• Vegetation; Narumoru forest consists of natural vegetation (a canopy of indigenous trees such as olive oak, cedar, wild fruits and wild flowers).
• River; Nairobi River is 200m down the steep valley where the cave is located.
• The cave: The cave is a clear evidence of volcanic activity that occurred many years back as well as a testimony of the local struggle for independence from colonial rule and domination

Fact File:

Altitude:

Distance: 19.5km from Munyu junction to the forest.

Climate: Cool climate

Location: Narumoru forest at the foothills of Mt. Kenya.

Gazzetted: Year 2003

Access by road: Passable murram road from Munyu junction to Narumoru forest.

Vegetation: From the Munyu junction visitors encounter vast tracts of farms in this savannah range land. The forest reserve is a mixture of plantation and indigenous forests occasionally interrupted by green carpeted grass openings.

Birds: A variety of birds found in the forest.

Light: Bring torch.

Open: all year around.

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