By: Mukaru Ng’ang’a
Worth Noting:
- The Mau Mau fighters then turned their attention to Kandara Divisional Centre. By then Ihura Kareri was the second in command and he brought with him about 150 fighters mainly recruited from Nairobi by the War Council.
- A force of 400 Mau Mau fighters attacked Kandara D.O.’s and Police Lines, set most of the houses on fire, drove away the police and military forces and released the prisoners.
- The D.O. asked for help and reinforcements came from Nyeri, Murang’a and Thika on road and by air. It was officially reported that at least 123 Mau Mau fighters were killed and 15 captured.
The main fighting in Murang’a started in April, 1953. At this time Gitau Matenjagwo and his lieutenant Kago unleashed the Batuni oath and administered it mainly to all young men and girls. Before the end of the year Mau Mau fighters had waged a number of successful battles. On April, 29 1953, the Home Guard Post at Ruathia, 18 miles from Murang’a town which was manned by Headman William and 16 Kikuyu Guard and 5 Tribal Police and 5 Maasai trackers was successfully attacked and raided. On 13 July, the Mau Mau fighters attacked and captured the Kigumo Guard Post killing most of the entire guard. On 24th December, the Mau Mau killed two European officers and two askaris in a bitter engagement at Thika. These were a company commander, Major Earl Wavell, a Kenya Police Reserve Commandant, Peter Humphrey Dene, who was deputy to the Superintendent of Police at Thika, a Kenya District Commandant, Colonel R.C. Samuels, and an Assistant Inspector. Two other men were wounded.
Before the end of this year the Mau Mau fighters under Gitau Matenjagwo had attacked Chomo and Ndakaini Home Guard Posts, they had overrun Kanderendu, they had waged two big battles in Murang’a, they had attacked Kigumo and had killed many members of the Colonial forces. They had waged successful battles in Kangema where they were engaged by the 4 Kenya Regiment soldiers. At the end of the year they turned to Gakurwe and Mununga ridge where the biggest battles were fought. These two areas were immediately declared prohibited areas.
1954 opened with fierce battles being waged by the Mau Mau fighters. After the death of Matenjagwo in December, 1953 at Kariti in Location 5 in Kandara, Kago quickly emerged as the overall leader of the Murang’a fighters. He turned to the forest in January, and re-organised the southern fighters into an efficient force. They started with Chief Njiiri’s area Kinyona where they attacked and burned 95 huts belonging to the Home Guards and Home Guard Posts. In February, a powerful Mau Mau battle took place opposite Mununga ridge. The fighters received supplies from the supply area on the Fort Hall – Thika border. Funds and fighting materials were collected and sent through Miirigo in Location 4, and 5.
The Mau Mau fighters then turned their attention to Kandara Divisional Centre. By then Ihura Kareri was the second in command and he brought with him about 150 fighters mainly recruited from Nairobi by the War Council. A force of 400 Mau Mau fighters attacked Kandara D.O.’s and Police Lines, set most of the houses on fire, drove away the police and military forces and released the prisoners. The D.O. asked for help and reinforcements came from Nyeri, Murang’a and Thika on road and by air. It was officially reported that at least 123 Mau Mau fighters were killed and 15 captured.
During the same time other Mau Mau fighters attacked Kangema Divisional Centre. They overran the Headquarters and killed most of the Askaris including the District Officer, Candler. On 5th March, Kago received about 150 fighters from the War Council in Nairobi and with a force of about 600 fighters attacked and overran Kiriaini Kikuyu Guard Post in Location 16 with an intention of proceeding to Kandara Divisional Headquarters for a second time. On 31st March, the Mau Mau forces contacted the Colonial forces at Mariira, and after a fierce battle D.O. Peterson was killed. It was during this engagement when Kago was shot dead and Ihura Kareri took over. By April, the Mau Mau fighters had once again overrun Kangema where they killed a number of Colonial forces together with the D.O. Mr Wood White.
However, from March, 1954, the Mau Mau fighters began to lose ground fast. Police and military forces followed them and were joined by men of the 156 Battalion, East African Artillery. The fighters were tracked down by the security forces who were guided by phosphorous marker grenades dropped from Police Reserve aircrafts. In addition five hundred men (mostly members of War Council) were removed under operation “Overdraft” which resulted in the failure of the “CHINA” negotiations. The operation “Anvil” in Nairobi seized thousands of Mau Mau followers among them all the members of the War Council. It became very difficult for the movement to obtain the necessary war materials including guns and recruits. It was as if the fighting had come to an end in Murang’a.
However, fighting continued and on May 11th a fierce battle was fought in the West of Location 16 in Kandara with Ihura Kareri at the head. The Mau Mau fighters under Ihura, Long, Murage, Muriithi Manyeki and Ali Mutwe started engaging on hide and seek battles and raids. .
A Political History of Murang’a District, 1900-1970.
Mukaru Ng’ang’a, 1978.
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