Mau Mau veterans hail Dedan Kimathi

Mau Mau veteran Ngatia Mbuthia, 98, was enlisted in the Second World War alongside Dedan Kimathi in 1939.

Also known as General Chui, Mr Mbuthia was recruited by the British Army alongside other fighters such as General Mathenge Mirugi and General China.

During a chat at his home in Gikumbo Village, Mathira, Nyeri County, General Chui describes Kimathi as friendly, aggressive and admirable person.

“We were together in the British Army where we learned a lot about the war, shooting and use of firearms,” the war general says.

In Robert Edgerton’s book, Mau Mau Crucible, the writer says Kimathi did not stay long in the British military, but was discharged after only a month for “drunkenness and attempting to intimidate other recruits”.

But General Chui claims Kimathi feared taking alcohol.

OPEN-MINDED

The war veteran notes that while fighting in the British Army, Kimathi kept on reminding them that they had to liberate their country.

Describing Kimathi as a patriot and non-violent man, General Chui adds that he was hardworking, disciplined and had a partiality for quality and devoted leadership.

“He was not known to fight colleagues, but was in charge of the violent Mau Mau uprising whose aim was to repossess land taken away by White Settlers,” he says.

During the armed struggle against the colonial government, General Chui says Kimathi was open to ideas from his juniors and embraced the war tactics proposed by the soldiers.

“When angry, he could not hide his feelings. He also held dear the virtues of the Agikuyu people. That included courage (ucamba), honesty (wihokeku) and justice (kihooto),” he notes.

LEADERSHIP

Another former Mau Mau fighter, Mr Mwangi Kaguma, 93, says Kimathi’s admiration for good leadership made him part ways with General Mathenge around 1950s.

This, he says, was after Kimathi overthrew Mathenge from the leadership of Mau Mau militants in Nyandarua's Aberdare Forest.

“Kimathi and I were together in the forest and we knew each other well, although he was older than me,” Mr Kaguma says.

He adds: “For fear of his life, General Mathenge fled to Ethiopia, leaving Kimathi in charge of the Mau Mau fighters.

"Kimathi had gone to school and served as a secretary to General Mathenge. He admired good leadership and would not hide his feelings,” he adds.

He further says Kimathi was popular in all the battalions for his guiding principle: "It is better to die on our feet than live on our knees in fear of colonial rule."

Desertion from the war, says Mr Kaguma, equalled death in the forest and the deserter would not be spared.

However, in the company of Kimathi, he adds, there was little to fear as he could sense danger from afar and take cover.