During The Meeting With Nyeri Central Sub-County Administrator, It Emerged That The Top Freedom Fighter’s Family Was Sharply Divided On Among Other Things, The Venue For The Ceremony And Guests To Grace The Event
By Rodgers Wagura and William Muchiri
The 67th memorial of Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi, scheduled for Tuesday next week is set to be more than just a tribute to the fallen Mau Mau hero.
The event is set to among other things, also have the compensation of the remaining former freedom fighters and their descendants discussed.
Unlike other years, it has emerged that two different groups are separately involved in the preparations.
Interestingly, the immediate family of the freedom hero is involved in the two teams. One of the late Kimathi’s daughter Evalyne Wanjugu is making preparations through Dedan Kimathi Foundation while several of her siblings are separately doing the same alongside several other organisations that comprises former freedom fighters as well as their descendants.
Yesterday, Nyeri Central Sub-County Administrator Maina Ngunyi hosted the organizers who were led by Jeremiah Mugi Foundation chairman James Njuguna Mahuria.
It is during their deliberations that it emerged that Ms Wanjugu was on Tuesday hosted by the same administrator.
The Sub-County boss noted that Ms Wanjugu was planning to have her event at Kahira-ini at the edge of Aberdare ranges where the late Kimathi was shot and captured by guards affiliated to the colonialists. Ms Wanjugu has invited the Nyeri County political and government leadership.
The other team is planning to have the ceremony at Kabiru-ini Show grounds and has invited among others, President William Ruto.
Mr Ngunji termed as unfortunate, the division in the Kimathi family and vowed to reconcile them, a move that was supported by Mahuria and his team.
Mahuria said they expected hundreds of Kenyans to attend the ceremony where his team has set aside 24 bulls and over 50 goats yo be feasted that day.
The ceremony will also serve as a platform to address the ongoing debate over Mau Mau compensation and land restitution, he disclosed.
The remembrance will bring together Mau Mau veterans, descendants, historians, and political leaders to discuss the delayed compensation process.
The government is expected to make a major announcement regarding Mau Mau compensation, a long-standing issue that has faced political interference.
Yesterday, Mahuria and Mau Mau veterans chairman Bishop David Kiarie urged the former freedom, their descendants and Kenyans to be patient saying the issue of compensation will soon be addressed once and for all.
They paid tribute to the late President Mwai Kibaki, acknowledging his role in advancing Mau Mau veterans’ rights, including introducing the public Benefit Organization (PBO) Act in 2013, which is the base of facilitating compensation.
The team also hit out at a Nyeri County politician who they accused of involving himself with compensation matters, which he little understands about.
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