State asked to accord Mau Mau hero Karue Githui a befitting send-off
The late Githui Karue
By Wilfred Muchire
The family of the late Mau Mau veteran Joseph Karue Githui, together with Mau Mau Veterans (MMV) Associates CLG, has appealed to the government to support funeral arrangements and accord the freedom fighter a befitting send-off in recognition of his contribution to Kenya’s liberation struggle.
In a letter addressed to the Central Region Regional Commissioner, the organization said Githui, who died on July 22, was a distinguished Mau Mau veteran whose decades-long advocacy played a significant role in the recognition of Mau Mau veterans and their quest for justice.
The letter, signed by the Mau Mau caucus, Chief Executive Officer Emmah Kasis, described Githui as a dedicated campaigner for the welfare of Mau Mau veterans and their descendants, noting that he remained actively involved in championing their rights until his death.
According to the organization, Githui authored a landmark letter to then opposition leader Mwai Kibaki on November 29, 1993, urging recognition of the Mau Mau movement and restoration of the dignity of its members. The organization says those efforts contributed to the eventual recognition of the Mau Mau movement during Kibaki’s presidency in 2003, paving the way for veterans and their descendants to pursue justice and reparations.
The group said it had worked closely with Githui since 2023, particularly during the visit to Kenya by King Charles III, when renewed attention was drawn to the historical injustices suffered by Mau Mau veterans under British colonial rule.
It said Githui was also instrumental in public awareness campaigns through interviews on Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), Voice of America and community forums, where he advocated for the recognition, welfare and historical legacy of the Mau Mau movement.
The organization has pledged to support the bereaved family financially and morally, saying the late veteran’s contribution to the struggle for justice deserves national recognition.
Funeral arrangements are underway, with the burial scheduled for Wednesday next week at his home in Kagaati Village, Hombe Location, Mathira West Sub-county, Nyeri County, near Sagana State Lodge.
The organization has appealed to the Regional Commissioner and other government agencies, including security and administrative officials in Nyeri County, to support the funeral and join the family in honouring Githui’s legacy.
The appeal has also been copied to the Regional Police Commander, Regional Criminal Investigations Officer, Nyeri County Commissioner, County Police Commander, County Criminal Investigations Officer, Deputy County Commissioner for Mathira West, Sub-County Police Commander, the Area Chief of Hombe Location and members of the deceased’s family.
Githui had become widely known in recent years for his unwavering activism on behalf of Mau Mau veterans. He also attracted national attention during the 2024 anti-government protests after symbolically entering the parliamentary precincts to express solidarity with young protesters, an act that many viewed as reflecting his lifelong commitment to justice and accountable leadership.
Out of that, he earned the name Gen-Z grandfather.
The Mau Mau uprising, fought between 1952 and 1960, played a pivotal role in Kenya’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule. Although many veterans lived for decades without official recognition, successive legal and political developments; including compensation awarded by the British government to some survivors in 2013 have renewed efforts to preserve the movement’s history and honour those who participated in the liberation struggle.
MMV Associates said Githui’s death marks the loss of one of the remaining voices of the independence generation and called on both the government and the public to celebrate his legacy and contributions to the country’s freedom.
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