OL KALOU, Kenya, Aug 25 — The Government will settle the Mau Mau heroes who have no permanent homes, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said.
Speaking on Friday during the burial of Mau Mau fighter Brigadier John Njigoya Kagwe alias Brigadier Kiboko at Ngorika Village, Nyandarua County, Mr Gachagua said freedom fighters did not receive what they deserved after sacrificing.
He said they were short-changed after independence, hence the reason the majority of them have never settled down; they live with their families as displaced persons.
“The Mau Mau fighters sacrificed for the liberation of this country through thick and thin. After independence, the black colonialists took over land and power.
We will keep calling them out for the injustices,” said the Deputy President.
He added: “Most of the land that these fighters fought for was shared amongst the collaborators and the colonial chiefs. Most of the idle land in the country was to be given to the Mau Mau fighters,” he said.
Gachagua added that plans are underway to settle down the remaining fighters.
“The government will pay the money owed by the Mau Mau internally displaced persons for those left to settle We will restore their dignity,” he said.
Consultative meeting
A meeting with the remaining Mau Mau fighters will be held soon to discuss a way forward.
He said the government is working with the remaining generals to locate and exhume the remains of Dedan Kimathi despite the death of Brigadier Kiboko, who had promised to help.
“The government’s commitment to exhume the remains of Field Marshall Dedan Kimathi will continue as promised during the burial of Mukami Kimathi. I will bring on board all the fighters we visit Kamithi Maximum Prison for the search of our hero, “he added.
To appreciate the efforts the Mau Mau gallants have showed during and even after the independence particularly to Brigadier Kiboko, the Deputy President promised to drill a borehole at his Shakola home for the benefit of the area. He also promised financial support to Ngorika Secondary School and the neighbouring primary for development.
Brigadier Kiboko died at 93 after a long illness.
