Mijikenda Kaya elders have initiated plans to revive the Mekatilili Menza gravesite at Bungale in Magarini subcounty, Kilifi.
The move, they say, will help people learn about the legendary heroine who led the Giriama community in the fight against the British colonial rule.
The gravesite at Ulaya Kwa Jele in Magarini is a key historical site where the annual Mekatilili Menza festival used to be celebrated but has now been abandoned.
Journalists who accompanied the Mijikenda elders and Mekatilili Menza family members in a visit to the site on Tuesday found the place in a bad state.
All that remains is the gate and a permanent building built by Nature Kenya, a conservation NGO.
The traditional houses that used to be there have collapsed while the gravesite had no structures.
Elders led by Mijikenda Kaya elders national coordinator Tsuma Nzai said it was important to honour the heroine who was buried at the site in 1924, after leading masses to rebel against British colonial rule in what is known as The Giriama Uprising of 1913-1914.
Speaking after conducting traditional rituals, Nzai said the family had agreed to have the site maintained as it holds the history of the country.
"There were differences because some people wanted to use the site for their personal gains, family members have made it clear that whoever wants to celebrate the heroine, should do it at Bungale where she was buried."
Nzai who is also the Magarini cultural centre director, asked those from the Amwamkare clan including the former Chief of Defence Forces General Samson Mwathethe, to support in making the site vibrant as Mekatilili was from the same clan.
"Former minister Karisa Maitha was among those who launched the site, I urge other leaders to come out and ensure the site reclaims its lost glory."
The coordinator said elders still recognise Statehouse spokesperson Kanze Dena's efforts in highlighting the story of the heroine as she was among journalists who spent two days at the site researching on the story.
"We still remember her for her efforts and would like her to plan a visit of Bungale which is being revived," he said.
"We are appealing to the government, to ensure the Mijiekda heroine is treated in the same manner as the others in the country."
Currently, he said the family of Mekatilili wants to start a foundation that will help in education, conservation and promote family values.
He appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta to recognise the area and set up a tower in memory of the Mijikenda heroine before he leaves office.
He said differences over the site have been resolved, adding that the county government had committed to support them in reviving the site into an ecotourism centre for students and tourists to learn the rich history.
"The National and county government should support the idea and involve the Mekatilili family in the plans," he said.
Alphonce Mkare Jefwa a great-grandson of Mekatilili said the heroine left behind a big family which has not been recognised by the government.
"We want the National government to recognise this site where Mekatilili Menza was buried, the county government should also recognise us as the family," he said, adding that any celebrations to commemorate the heroine must be done at the site.
He also asked Dena to plan a visit to the site and help install a pillar in honour of the Mijikenda heroine.
Dhahabu Ngumbao Mole an elder said Mekatilili was a heroine who played a key role in the freedom of the country but wondered why her gravesite was abandoned.
Ngumbao called on the government to recognise the great-grandchildren of Mekatilili and ensure they build a pillar at the site.
"We came to visit Mekatilili Menza's gravesite and found it unattended because people stopped visiting. People only celebrate the heroine in Malindi which is not right."
Jonathan Wanje, a Kaya elder said during the era of minister Maitha, they used to honour the heroine but the site has since been abandoned.
Currently, he said, they are keen to revive the site to bring back its lost glory.
Gona Maleleo a local leader called on other leaders to join hands and help revive the Mekatilili Menza site in Bungale.
-Edited by SKanyara