Kenyan Women Who Defied “Patriarchy” to Fight for Freedom.
All well documented, recognized and celebrated freedom fighters are men, that is a sad stubborn fact, but did you know that there where strong women who fought fiercely alongside them in quest for independence and democracy?
It is a pity that the Heroines who fought for independence remain largely unknown, unrecognized and uncelebrated yet they paid the ultimate price for freedom just like their male counterparts whom we honor and celebrate every “Mashujaa Day”.
Since feminism and those who agitate for women’s space in decision making processes go silent when it comes to armed uprising against oppression, many Heroines of extraordinary courage in the face of great adversity lived, but all are unknown and unwept, extinguished in everlasting night, because they have no spirited chronicler.
Although men suffered the brute of colonial oppression most, as the oppressor targeted men particularly, hanging them, castrating them, executing them, incarcerating them while setting the women free, some of those freed women did not enjoy this conditional freedom, they went to the battlefront, arming themselves to fight off the enemies viciously.
Others opted for the civilian and activist role, ensuring that the important facets of the liberation fight are not forgotten.
Nursing and feeding the male fighters cannot be swept under the rug as a valueless, senseless second-rate role in quest for independence.
Let’s see Muthoni wa Kirima who is still alive sound and strong in her 80s.
The only female Mau Mau Field Marshal. She earned the title after spending seven years in the forest during Kenya’s fight for independence and the only one to come out alive after the end of the struggle.
Muthoni is quite vocal about her disappointment with the post-colonial Kenyan governments and has vowed never to chop off her dreadlocks until she sees the benefits of independence.
At 83, she currently holds Kenya’s medal for distinguished service and a Head of State Commendation.
Other most renown female fighters were, The Kipipiri Women(Bobo, Chep, Achi, Mwende), Wambui Otieno, Mekatilili wa Menza,Mary Muthoni Nyanjiru,Wanjiru Nyamarutu,Cinda Reri (Wamuyu Gakuru), Grace Nyaguthii, Wanjugu Gituku, and Njoki Waicere. They were not alone in the actual fighting, but they are the few we know about. Cinda Reri was involved in the Battle of Ruiru River, where she was mistaken for the leader because of her expert handling of the gun. She led an all-female unit of 200 of whose exploits we know even less. She started out as a gunrunner, hence her name de guerre, because she worked as a contactor in the railway service to secretly deliver weapons.
The government of Kenya should reward (those still alive) and set aside a special day to honor the fallen Heroines of Kenyan independence.
