Family Appeals to Gov’t to Trace the Remains of Freedom Fighter Dedan Kimathi

The family of the late freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi has appealed to President Ruto’s administration to find his remains. 

The family said their wish is to have Kimathi’s widow Mukami Kimathi, who is still alive, buried beside him once she dies.

Speaking during the 66th commemoration of his execution, Kimathi’s daughter Evelyn Wanjugu said it was unfortunate that the freedom hero’s remains are still lying in an unmarked grave at Kamiti Prison where he was hanged.

“For us, as a family, we are worried that if our ageing mother passes on, we will have nowhere to bury her. Where would we bury her? Is it Kamiti where her husband’s remains are still lying?”

“We urge this government to assist us in finding his remains so that when she dies, we will bury her beside him,” she said.

Wanjugu expressed confidence that the Kenya Kwanza administration will trace Kimathi’s remains as requested by the family.

Kimathi, who was the leader of the Mau Mau uprising, was captured by colonial forces in 1955 at Karunaini village in Nyeri during the struggle for independence. He was hanged at Kamiti prison and buried in an unmarked grave.

Attempts and promises by the previous government to have his remains exhumed and given a decent sendoff have been futile.

“The first government came, assured us but nothing came out of it, the second and the third followed suit, we have high hopes that this government will assist us in finding our father’s remains so that we give him a decent send-off,” Wanjugu added.