Statue in Nairobi CBD Often Mistaken for Mary Mother of Jesus

A historical statue at Jevanjee Gardens in Nairobi City Centre has stood test of time since colonial times.

Many people think the monument is that of Virgin Mary, the Biblical Mother of Jesus but fact is, the statue is that of queen Victoria of Britain. She was also called the Empress of India.

She died in June 1837 and the statue in Nairobi was unveiled in March 17, 1906 by the Duke and Duchess of Connaught.

Up-to-date, visitors to Jevanjee Gardens think the statue was erected in honour of Mother of Jesus Christ.

Image description of Mother of Jesus.

Some years back the statue, which was the first one to be unveiled in Nairobi City was defaced but it was rehabilitated and today it is protected under The National Museums and Heritage Act.

The monument was paid for and presented by Alibhai MullaJjevanjee, an Indian merchant and politician who was among the first Indians settlers in Kenya.

He established a shipping company in India and received commissions from the Imperial British East Africa Protectorate to extend his business to Mombasa.

Unveiling of Queen Victoria’s statue in 1906.

In return, he gave to the public the land where the park sits and financed its creation to praise and honour of the Queen and her government.

The day it was unveiled, local people swept the dusty city streets and lined up from the Nairobi Railways Station to Jevanjee gardens.

The East African Standard newspaper which was owned by Jevanjee reported;

“Streets were thronged with enthusiastic crowds, and line on either side by Masai warriors who gave a most picturesque effect to the whole scene. Game trophies lined untarmacked streets then drenched with water”.

The monument.

After independence number of statues were pulled down including those of King George V and a plaque honouring King George V outside Nairobi law courts but this one of Queen Victoria remained intact.