The Republic of Kenya is a nation on the equatorial east coast of Africa. Although the Portuguese were the first European colonists in Kenya, the country became a British colony from 1890 and remained under British control until it became independent in 1963. Kenya's coastline is a relatively short 540 km (335 mi) long but it includes the major port of Mombasa. Swahili is the national language of Kenya but there is an Arab influence along the coast. As a result the word commonly used for a lighthouse is mnarani or mnara, words related to the Arabic manara. The Arabic word ra's is used for a cape. In Swahili taa is the word for light and the phrase taa ya taa ("lightbulb") is also used for a lighthouse. Aids to navigation in Kenya are operated by the Marine Operations Department of the Kenya Ports Authority, an agency of the Ministry of Transport. ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Light List numbers are from volume D of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 112.
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![]() Shela Range Front Light, Lamu, October 2024 Google Maps photo by Mwaniki Nyaga |
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![]() Vasco da Gama Pillar, Malindi, July 2023 Google Maps street view by Mark Nj. |
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![]() Kilifi Light, Kilifi, October 2021 Google Maps street view |
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![]() Original Mtongwe (Kilindini) Range Rear Light, Mombasa photo copyright Dmitry Rostopshin; used by permission |
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![]() Likoni Light, Mombasa, October 2021 Google Maps street view |
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Information available on lost lighthouses:
Notable faux lighthouses:
Adjoining pages: North: Somalia | South: Tanzania | West: Uganda
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Posted June 16, 2005. Checked and revised January 15, 2025. Lighthouses: 37. Site copyright 2025 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.