Iconic 'Mombasa Tusks' risk collapse amid blame game among county leaders

The famous artificial elephant tusks along Moi Avenue, a key tourist attraction in Mombasa, are deteriorating and at risk of collapse because of poor upkeep.

The metal joints connecting the two towering tusks have rusted over time, causing one of them to lean forward.

Despite the damage and years of neglect, the tusks continue to draw hundreds of visitors who come to admire this iconic landmark.

It has come to light that the iconic tusks have gone without repairs or a fresh coat of paint for the past five years, as the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) and the Mombasa County Government continue to shift blame over who is responsible.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir maintains that the upkeep of the tusks falls under NMK, since the structure is listed as a national monument.

However, Athuman Hussein, NMK’s Assistant Director for Museums and Monuments in the Coast region, countered that responsibility shifted to the counties after the enactment of the 2010 Constitution.

"Since their construction in 1956, the tusks were under the Mombasa Municipal Council, and that duty was passed on to the county government," Hussein explained.

Despite the back-and-forth, Governor Nassir insisted the county is not in charge of maintaining the monument but said he would follow up to understand why NMK has not restored the tusks to their original condition.

"I intend to establish whether the National Museums of Kenya has allocated any funds for the restoration of the tusks,"

Governor Nassir stated, acknowledging the structure's cultural and historical significance to Mombasa.

Julius Owino, CEO of the Kenya Tourists Association, noted that while there is no official data on visitor numbers, the tusks remain one of the most visited landmarks by both tourists and locals alike.

Tourism stakeholders have noted that the iconic elephant tusks have overtaken Fort Jesus as the most frequented site by both tourists and residents, largely due to their symbolic significance as the gateway to Mombasa.

"The tusks are the first image that greets visitors to Mombasa. Almost every tourist, including those from cruise ships, makes a point to stop and take a photo there it’s a defining symbol of the city," said Hussein.

Engineer David Jomeli echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that as prominent landmarks on the Coast, the tusks should receive regular maintenance and be safeguarded, particularly from street families who have been reported to harass tourists in the area.

"We must carry out regular maintenance, painting, decoration, and general upkeep to ensure the site remains attractive to visitors. Currently, the area also floods during heavy rains, which worsens its condition," Jomeli noted.

The tusks were originally constructed in 1952 using wood and canvas by colonial authorities to mark the visit of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The original wooden elephant tusks were installed in an M-shaped formation along Moi Avenue, serving as a symbolic gateway into Mombasa.

Positioned along what was then Kilindini Avenue, they marked the route from the port into the heart of the city.

The monument was upgraded in 1956, with the original wooden structure replaced by more durable aluminium tusks, coinciding with the expansion of Moi Avenue into a dual carriageway.

Governor Nassir explained that the monument initially featured two tusks spanning a single lane. After the road upgrade, four aluminium tusks two on each side were installed to form the letter “M,” symbolizing the city of Mombasa.

Over time, the tusks gained cultural prominence. U.S. Marines visiting the port city began repainting them during their stays, and various companies used the structure to promote Mombasa as a leading tourist destination.

This commercialisation prompted intervention from the National Museums of Kenya to protect the site's heritage.

In late 2014, the tusks were defaced by anti-poaching activists protesting elephant killings, igniting a heated exchange between conservationists and Mombasa County authorities.

The structure was later restored in 2017 through a partnership between Mombasa Cement and the county government. Since then, the monument has remained a popular attraction for both local and international tourists.