The Mombasa tusks were originally constructed in 1952 by the British administration of the Kenya Colony, commemorating the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to the city.[1] Made of wood and canvas, they were erected on the road leading to the Queen's residence at the Mombasa Yachting Club (or simply Mombasa Club), situated next to Uhuru Garden.[2][2] The monument quickly became a local attraction, with companies and local residents advertising and making announcements by the tusks.[1] There were originally just two tusks over Moi Avenue, which was then a one-lane road; however, it later expanded to two lanes and a new set of tusks were built in 1956 by the municipal council.[1] Another reason for the refurbishment was the visit of Princess Margaret to the region in that year.[2] A few metres away from the site of the original monument, the four new tusks (two over each lane) are made of weather-resistant aluminium.[1][2] The tusks coincidentally form the shape of the letter M, the first letter in Mombasa.[1]