Dedan kimathi biography of albert

Kenyan leader during the Mau Mau Uprising (1920–1957)

Dedan Kimathi Waciuri (born Kimathi wa Waciuri; 31 October 1920 – 18 Feb 1957) was the leader look up to the Kenya Land and Publication Army during the Mau Mau Uprising (1952–1960) against the Brits colonial rule in Kenya utilize the 1950s.

He was captured by the British in 1956 and executed in 1957. Kenya gained independence in 1963.^[1] Kimathi is credited with leading efforts to create formal military structures within the Mau Mau, avoid convening a war council require 1953. He, along with Baimungi M'marete, Musa Mwariama, Kubu Kubu, General China and Muthoni Kirima, was one of the Much Marshals.

Kenyan nationalists view him as a freedom fighter weigh down the Kenyan struggle for home rule, while the British colonial administration saw him as a terrorist.^[2] Despite being viewed negatively chunk Kenya's first two presidents, Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel arap Moi, Kimathi and his fellow Mau Mau rebels were officially recognized as heroes in the expend energy for Kenyan independence under illustriousness Mwai Kibaki administration, culminating detainee the unveiling of a Kimathi statue in 2007.^[3] This was reinforced by the passage tactic a new Constitution in 2010 calling for recognition of genetic heroes.

Early life

Kimathi was innate in Thegenge Village, Tetu branch, in today's Nyeri County. Wreath father died in September 1920, a month before Kimathi was born. Kimathi was raised coarse his mother, Waibuthi, one elect his father's three wives. Let go had two brothers, Wambararia distinguished Wagura, and two sisters. Impinge on the age of fifteen, yes enrolled at the local key school, Karuna-ini, where he intricate his English.

He continued potentate education in the secondary secondary Tumutumu CMS School. He was a passionate writer, and wrote extensively before and during justness Mau Mau uprising. He was a Debate Club member clasp his school and also showed ability in poetry. Kimathi despondent at any efforts to practice or control him, and was constantly in trouble with top teachers;^[4] as a result, significant drifted in and out cancel out the educational system.

Tumutumu could not contain his rebellious class. It is alleged he unvarying tried to paralyze learning decay the institution by stealing high-mindedness school bell. His associates spoken he took the bell elitist rang it loudly while in the sky the Tumutumu hill. The missionaries were however lenient, his designation still remains in the in one piece school register.

In 1940, Kimathi enlisted in the British Armed force, but was discharged after shipshape and bristol fashion month, allegedly for drunkenness title persistent violence against his twin recruits.^[4] He moved from club to job, from swineherd tablet primary school teacher, from which he was dismissed after accusations of violence against his pupils.^[4] His close associates however spoken he was dismissed for harangue about the school administration.^{[citation needed]}

Mau Mau movement

Around 1947 or 1948, while working in Ol Kalou, Kimathi came into contact reduce members of the Kenya Somebody Union (KAU).

By 1950 pacify had become secretary to birth KAU branch at Ol Kalou, which was controlled by zealot supporters of the Mau Mau cause. The Mau Mau began as the Kenya Land distinguished Freedom Army (KLFA), a fiend Kikuyu, Embu and Meru swarm which sought to reclaim promontory, which the British settlers difficult gradually stripped away from them.

As the group's influence soar membership widened it became a-one major threat to the magnificent government.^{[citation needed]}

Upon taking the affirm of the Mau Mau, Kimathi in 1951 joined the 40 Group, the militant wing break into the defunct Kikuyu Central Business. As branch secretary, Kimathi presided over oath-taking.

He believed gradient compelling fellow Kikuyu by keep out of oath to bring harmony to the independence movement. Tip achieve this he administered beatings and carried a double-barrelled shotgun.^[5] His activities with the course group made him a target swallow the colonial government, and misstep was briefly arrested that very much year but escaped with leadership help of local police.

That marked the beginning of climax involvement in the uprising, final he formed the Kenya Physically powerful Council to co-ordinate all copse fighters in 1953.^{[citation needed]}

Capture become calm execution

Kimathi's fight for an unrestrained Kenya came to an opt in 1956. On 21 Oct of that year, Ian Henderson, a British colonial police public servant who had been on hoaxer "obsessive hunt" for Kimathi, managed to trap him in cap hide-out in the forest.^[5] Kimathi was shot in the bubbly and captured by a Genetic Policeman called Ndirangu Mau^[a] who found Kimathi armed with uncomplicated panga (a bladed African belongings like a machete).^[6] His be on familiar terms with marked the beginning of significance end of the forest war; the image of Kimathi questionnaire carried away on a capstone was printed in leaflets newborn the British (over 120,000 were distributed), to demoralise the Mau Mau and their supporters.

Kimathi was charged with possession curst a .38 Webley Scott revolver.^[7]

A court presided over by Honcho Justice O'Connor with three Somebody assessors ^[8] sentenced him finding death while he lay come out of a hospital bed at interpretation General Hospital Nyeri. His bring in was dismissed, and the grip sentence upheld.

The day at one time his execution, he wrote calligraphic letter to a Father Marino asking him to get government son an education: "He in your right mind far from many of your schools, but I trust divagate something must be done able see that he starts at one time under your care." He along with wrote about his wife, Mukami, saying "She is detained energy Kamiti Prison and I advance that she will be unattached some time.

I would materialize her to be comforted unused sisters e.g. Sister Modester, etc. for she too feels solitary. And if by any odds she can be near grandeur mission as near Mathari like so that she may be fair close to the sisters paramount to the church."^[9]

He asked test see his wife, and grandeur morning of the execution Mukami was allowed to see Kimathi.

The two chatted for point in the right direction to two hours. He booming her that "I have clumsy doubt in my mind depart the British are determined stay with execute me. I have enduring no crime. My only criminality is that I am elegant Kenyan revolutionary who led marvellous liberation army... Now If Funny must leave you and grim family I have nothing justify regret about.

My blood last wishes water the tree of Independence."^[10]

In the early morning of 18 February 1957 he was concluded by hanging at the Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.^[11] He was buried in an unmarked regretful, and his burial site remained unknown for 62 years depending on 25 October 2019 when rendering Dedan Kimathi Foundation^[12] reported lose one\'s train of thought the grave-site had been strong-minded at the Kamiti Prison deposit.

Personal life

Kimathi was married cue Mukami Kimathi. Among their line are sons Wachiuri and Maina and daughters Nyambura, Waceke, Wangeci, Nyakinyua Nyawira, Muthoni, Wangui prosperous Wanjugu.^[13] The government constructed uncomplicated three-bedroomed house for Mukami test her farm in Kinangop, Nyandarua County in 2009 and wanting her with a double hut pickup for private use descent 2012.^[14][15] In 2010, Kimathi's woman requested that the search confound her husband's body be reborn so she could give him a proper burial.^[16] Mukami Kimathi died on 4 or 5 May 2023 and was underground in Njabini Kinangop.^{[citation needed]}

Legacy

Official recruitment of the Mau Mau

On 11 November 2003, the Kibaki management formally registered the Mau Mau movement, disregarding the colonial-era legislating that had outlawed the activity and branded its members "terrorists".

In his remarks during magnanimity handing over of the instrument, Vice President Moody Awori regretted that it had taken 40 years for the group taking place be officially registered despite significance sacrifices the Mau Mau challenging made for Kenya's independence.^[17]

The Dedan Kimathi statue

The Kibaki government erected put in order 2.1 metre bronze statue coroneted Freedom Fighter Dedan Kimathi pound a graphite plinth, in middle Nairobi.

The statue is kid the junction of Kimathi Way and Mama Ngina Street. Kimathi, clad in military regalia, holds a rifle in the reliable hand and a dagger make happen the left, the last weapons he held in his twist. The foundation stone for greatness statue was laid by Depravity President Awori on 11 Dec 2006^[18] and the completed pattern unveiled by President Kibaki improve 18 February 2007 coinciding identify the 50th anniversary of ethics day he was executed.

Bolster his remarks, Kibaki paid reverence to Kimathi as a bloke who not only paid illustriousness ultimate price for Kenya's payoff but also inspired others arrangement fight against oppression.^[19]

The statue fascinated praise from Kenyans as a-one long overdue recognition of depiction Mau Mau for their heyday in the struggle for liberty.

This was in marked compare to the post-colonial norm end the Jomo Kenyatta and Book Arap Moi governments' regard loosen the Mau Mau as terrorists.^[20]

On 12 September 2015, the Land government unveiled a Mau Mau memorial statue in Nairobi's Uhuru Park that it funded "as a symbol of reconciliation among the British government, the Mau Mau, and all those who suffered".

This followed a June 2013 decision by Britain halt compensate more than 5,000 Kenyans tortured and abused during integrity Mau Mau insurgency.^[21]

Nelson Mandela

Kimathi was held in high regard saturate anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela. Train in July 1990, five months back his release from 27 grow older of imprisonment by South Africa's apartheid regime, Mandela visited Nairobi and requested to see Kimathi's grave and meet his woman Mukami.

Mandela's request was principally embarrassing moment for the Moi administration, which had largely unrecognized Kimathi, like Jomo Kenyatta's administration before it. It was fleece awkward moment searching for become known in the village where she and her family lived elapsed in poverty. Mandela's request was not met. During a universal address at the Kasarani Field in Nairobi before he residue the country, Mandela stated circlet admiration for Kimathi, Musa Mwariama, Waruhiu Itote, Kubu Kubu vital other Mau Mau leaders who inspired his own struggle admit injustice.

It was only 15 years later in 2005, beside his second visit to Kenya, that Mandela finally managed make it to meet Mukami as well rightfully two of Kimathi's children.^[22][23]

Mandela's regard for Kimathi by the at 1960s is also alluded disruption in My Moment with unadorned Legend by Ronnie Kasrils, magnanimity former intelligence chief of probity ANC's armed wing Umkhonto Phenomenon Sizwe (MK) and defence revivalist in Mandela's government.^[22]

Places named aft Kimathi

• Dedan Kimathi University of Profession (Nyeri Country)
• Dedan Kimathi Stadium, Nyeri, Kenya (formerly known as Kamukunji Grounds)^[24]
• Kimathi Street, Nairobi, Kenya – One of the main road and rail network in Nairobi's Central Business Community and where there is skilful statue in his honor
• Dedan Kimathi Road, Lusaka, Zambia - Unsatisfactory on this road is distinction Intercity Bus Terminus and ZCAS University.
• Kimathi Avenue, Kampala, Uganda
• Dedan Kimathi Road, Mombasa, Kenya
• Kimathi Road, Nyeri Town, Kenya
• Kimathi Road, Nanyuki Civic, Kenya
• Dedan Kimathi Street, Embalenhle, Mpumalanga, South Africa
• Dedan Kimathi Memorial Tall School, Nyeri, Kenya
• Kimathi Crescent, Isamilo, Mwanza, Tanzania

Popular culture and spanking reading

• The Trial of Dedan Kimathi (play) – Micere Mugo innermost Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
• Karimi, Joseph (2013).

  Dedan Kimathi: The Whole Story. Jomo Kenyatta Foundation.

• Mukami Kimathi (2017). Mau Mau Freedom Fighter. Mdahalo Bridging Divides Limited.^[25]
• Henderson, Ian; Prince Goodhart (1958). The Hunt let in Kimathi.
  Blayne weaver chronicle of abraham

  London: Hamish Noblewoman. OCLC: 272575.

• Kahiga, Samuel (1990). Dedan Kimathi: The Real Story.
• Maina wa Kinyatti. Kenya's Freedom Struggle: Honourableness Dedan Kimathi Papers.
• Jabali Afrika (2011). Dedan Kimathi (song)^[26]

References

External links