Bury our father's remains in a dignified manner, Dedan Kimathi's children tell state

The children of the late Mukami Kimathi, who was the widow of freedom fighter, Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi, have appealed to the government to keep their mother’s wish alive.

Speaking during a private event to mark the first anniversary of Mukami’s death, the children said they still would like to bury their father's remains in a dignified manner, which was their mother’s last wish.

Mukami Kimathi died before she was able to see the remains of her husband, who was one of Kenya's only three self-styled field marshalls during the independence struggle.

He was executed by British soldiers on February 18, 1957.

The colonialists dumped his body in an unmarked grave at the Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.

For the last six decades of her life, Mukami begged authorities in both Britain and Kenya to show her where the husband was buried, without success.

Speaking at the event, Dedan Kimathi Wachiuri, Eloise Mukami Wachiuri and Meshack Wachiuri Kimathi said they would still love to give their father a decent burial.

They said Mukami’s light continues to shine brightly in their hearts.

“Today, we honour your life, celebrating the legacy of love and family you left behind. Though we may feel the ache of your absence, we find solace in the countless memories we shared together,” said Wachiuri.

Mukami died on May 4, 2023 while receiving treatment at a hospital in Nairobi after developing breathing difficulties

She was among the Mau Mau freedom fighters detained at the Kamiti Maximum Prison during the struggle for independence.

Mukami was key in planning Kenya's independence struggle. She coordinated the women in the resistance when it came to oath administration, resource mobilisation, positioning spies and supplying food to fighters in the forest.

Mau Mau fighters, who were brutally targeted by British forces before independence, held her in very high regard and nicknamed her "the wasp."