Tourists disappointed after being locked out of Baden Powell grounds
Two tourists, Jessca Murotto from Nairobi and Martha Abbate from Italy, outside the Baden Powell Historic Gardens on August 28, 2016. They were disappointed to find the gardens locked as they were not aware that the place normally remains locked on Sundays. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Disappointed, they questioned why the grounds would be locked despite the fact it is an international landmark.
- Nyeri County scouts head, Ms Grace Michuki, said that the grounds are never opened on Sundays as there is only one person who mans them.
- However, she said that there is usually a guard posted at the grounds at all times.
- The grounds are also the site of the Nyeri War Cemetery that holds the Commonwealth war graves where European soldiers who were killed during World War II were buried.
Tourists visiting the Baden Powell Historical Gardens in Nyeri were Sunday morning stranded after they found the grounds locked and unmanned.
The Italian scouting enthusiasts had driven from Nairobi hoping to visit the monumental grave of founder the of the scouts movement, Lord Baden Powell, only to be locked out.
They had to wait for over an hour before someone could show up only to tell them that the grounds are not opened on Sundays.
Disappointed, they questioned why the grounds would be locked despite the fact it is an international landmark.
“This is very messed up. We drove all the way from Nairobi only to find the place locked and there is nobody around,” said Ms Jessica Murotto, one of the tourists.
They had to go to the neighbouring St Peter’s ACK Cathedral where a guard provided them with the management’s contacts.
The grounds are also the site of the Nyeri War Cemetery that holds the Commonwealth war graves where European soldiers who were killed during World War II were buried.
Families of the fallen soldiers occasionally visit the graves to pay respect to their deceased kin.
“The grounds are also a war cemetery. How would one pay their respects to their loved ones if it is locked? It is very embarrassing,” added Ms Murotto, who is a Kenyan-born Italian.
When contacted, the head of the scouts association in Nyeri County, Ms Grace Michuki, said that the grounds are never opened on Sundays as there is only one person who mans them.
“Currently we have only one person posted at the office so it remains locked on Sundays,” said Ms Michuki.
However, she said that there is usually a guard posted at the grounds at all times.
