Saved by the bell: How the ancient chiming monument of Mombasa rings the memories of the forgotten past

This is the renown Kengeleni Auction Bell Monument in Mombasa, Kenya.

The tower derives its name from the Swahili term, ‘Kengele,’ which means ‘Bell!’

Kengeleni Monument stands at the junction of the Mombasa to Malindi highway and Fidel Odinga Road near Kongowea.

It is surrounded by accommodations such as Chimamis Homestay, Sarah Studios Gish and Tamarind Village Hotel apartments, Penthouse five, Graphica Home and Al-Maaroof Apartments, among others.

Although it is surrounded today by modern buildings and busy traffic, the monument preserves the memory of one of the darkest periods in the East African history. That of the horrid slave trade.

The monument was erected in 1886 by British missionaries of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) during the height of the East African slave trade.

Hanging between two coral-stone pillars is a large bronze bell, which gave the area its name; Kengeleni or the place of the bell.

During the late nineteenth century period, Mombasa was an important transit point for slaves captured from the interior of East Africa before being transported to markets in Zanzibar Islands and other destinations across the Indian Ocean.

Many of the freed slaves were settled at Frere Town, a missionary base established north of Mombasa to provide them with safety, education, and a new life.

The Kengeleni Bell served as an outdoor warning system for the people living in Frere Town.

Whenever Arab slave ships were spotted approaching the coast, the bell was rung to alert residents of possible danger.

Different patterns of ringing conveyed different messages, allowing the community to respond quickly.

At the time it was erected, the bell tower was among the tallest structures in the area, making it ideal for sending warnings over long distances.

Directly opposite the monument stands ACK Emmanuel Church Kengeleni, built in 1889 by the Church Missionary Society.

The church was established to serve the spiritual needs of the freed slaves living in Frere Town and remains one of the oldest Christian churches in the region.

Together, the church and the bell monument symbolize the efforts made to protect and support people rescued from slavery.

There are reports that years later, the area surrounding the bell monument was used for open door auction market and the bell would be used to indicate a closed deal.

The Kengeleni Bell tower is nowadays recognized as a National Monument of Kenya.

It is managed by the National Museums of Kenya.

It serves as a lasting reminder of the struggle against slavery, the courage of those who fought for freedom, and the role played by missionaries in rescuing and supporting former slaves.

Although modest in appearance, the Kengeleni Bell remains one of Kenya’s most significant historical monuments.

It tells the story of resilience, hope, and the country’s determination to remember the painful legacy of the slave trade while honoring those who worked to end it.