This 3D model depicts the entrance, trench and watchtower to Aguthi Works Camp in Nyeri, Kenya. Some of the detention camps around Kenya had watchtowers that provided camp officers and commandants an ariel view of the entire camp.
Aguthi Works Camp (also Mungaria Rehabilitation Camp) was later converted to a secondary school. Today known as Kangubiri Girls High School. None of the structures depicted in this model remain today.
Evidence for reconstruction
The reconstruction of the Aguthi camp entrance was based primarily on archival resources. In the course of our research, we found two different photographs of the Aguthi camp entrance and watch-tower taken during the Emergency (1952 – 19060).
Both sources show different signs at the entrance however we know that this is the same place by analyzing the buildings in the background and the position of the watchtower in relation to the background buildings.
Additionally both archival photographs reference the same location Aguthi Works Camp also known as Mungaria Works camp. We believe that the photo presented by JM Kariuki was taken much earlier, probably during the early stages of the emergency (by comparing the vegetation/trees around). While the photo from the British Pathe video lists the date of recording as 1959, shortly before the camp was closed.
3D renders / visualisations
Software used 3D modelling – Blender . Model created by Grace Sampao
Contributing to the model
Do you have any thoughts, questions or comments to add to this reconstruction, let us know in the comment section below or email us at chao@africandigitalheritage.com
Software Programs used
- Software used for 3D modelling – Blender
Model created by: Grace Sampao in collaboration with Chao Tayiana
