Nyeri leaders vow to honour Mukami’s wish to find Kimathi’s remains
By Loise Wambugu, May 5, 2023
Nyeri leaders led by Governor Mutahi Kahiga mourned the late Mukami Kimathi who passed on at a Nairobi hospital on Thursday, May 4.
Mukami was the widow of independence freedom fighter the late Dedan Kimathi.
The leaders called on the Kenya Kwanza government to expedite the process of retrieving Kimathi’s remains and be laid to rest decently as per the wishes of his widow.
Governor Kahiga eulogized the late Mukami as a heroine who deserves to be celebrated in death.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and relatives of the family, to all living Mau Mau fighters and their descendants. May all of us celebrate this heroine,” Governor Kahiga said.
Kahiga said it is unfortunate that the heroine died while still pleading to have the remains of her late husband to accord him a decent send-off.
“Nyeri has lost a gem. It is indeed a tragedy that Mama Mukami has left us while demanding the body of her husband to be released to her for a decent burial. Many Maumau heroes and heroines languish in poverty yet successive governments have done nothing except to give them lip service,” he said.
He called on the government to solve the land puzzle once and for all, as many are still languishing in colonial villages without any land documents.
Mukami as a beacon of hope
Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga termed Mukami as a beacon of hope to many Mau Mau freedom fighters adding that it is unfortunate that she has died without her wish of burying her husband’s remains.
“It is unfortunate that Mama Mukami who has been a beacon of hope to the Mau Mau freedom fighters has left before her dying wish is fulfilled.
“I’m calling upon the Kenya Kwanza government to try to locate his remains so that they can be buried together,” Wamatinga said.
Legislators Geoffrey Wandeto (Tetu) and John Kaguchia (Mukurwe-ini) said they will work to ensure that her wish has been fulfilled and that the plan to build her a decent house which was being spearheaded by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is completed.