GOVERNMENT has allowed the official initiation of the process of searching for the remains of the former hero of the Mau Mau fighters, the late Dedan Kimathi, 67 years after his death.
This is happening after the recent death of Field Marshall Mukami Kimathi May 4, 2023 whom befor she die re-ignited the long-drawn-out debate about finding the site where her husband, Field Marshall Dedan Kimathi, was buried so that his remains can be exhumed and reburied.
The re-emergence of the debate was partly triggered by her family stating that Mukami had asked to not be buried until her husband’s remains were recovered so that they could be buried together next to each other. In the end, the government seems to have persuaded the family to proceed with the funeral.
Since then the situation has brought hope to the family of the late Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi after a coalition of experts from Kenya and around the world joined together to complete the task.
In addition, the family greatly appreciates the statue that was placed in honor of the Kenyan freedom fighter at his home in Karuna-ini Village, Tetu Sub-County, Nyeri County. In 1957, the body of Kimathi, a brave and courageous leader in the Maumau war, was taken out of the room where he was hanged with a rope around his neck.
As he was buried in an unmarked grave, the British government and settlers took to the streets to celebrate the death of the ‘terrorist’ and the peace that would follow. For them, his death meant the end of the war that was meant to fuel Kenya’s independence.
On February 29, 2024, President William Ruto is expected to officially launch the search for Kimathi’s remains, where experts will begin the activity.
