Widow of Mau Mau veteran Kisio wants Government to create welfare kitty

Mukami Kisio, the widow of the late Mau Mau hero General Kurito Kisio is not only a disappointed woman, but also a bitter one.

Her anger stems from the fact that she was left out when the British government gave out money to compensate those who bore the brunt of the independence war.

Ms Kisio’s husband was murdered by the British forces in Rotian Forest in 1954 at the height of clamour for independence.

She leads a poor life that does not befit her status, in a rental house in Narok’s Majengo estate.

After many years of waiting for compensation for the role her husband played in the independence war, and the work she did of feeding members of the ‘army’  fighting in  the forests and bushes, she was left out of the British compensation scheme. More disheartening is that she has never been assisted by the Government since independence in 1963.

“My husband and I played a big role in liberating this country yet he has not been honoured posthumously. I have also not been assisted by the Government. I live a difficult life fending for myself and the family,” she said.

She said her husband was killed one evening after he came out of the bush to take food that had been brought to the fighters, adding that he was betrayed by somebody who knew he was to get the food.

“He was killed moments after he came out of the forest as dusk was approaching. A British soldier who was monitoring the happenings opened fire, killing him instantly,” she narrated, adding that her husband tried to reach for his home-made rifle but it was too late for him to do anything.

As the country celebrates the 50th Mashujaa Day, Kisio said: “We will have nothing to celebrate if the Constitution is not implemented to the letter. We want our relatives who were killed in the struggle for independence to be exhumed and buried at the Heroes Corner.”

Kisio, whose husband was killed together with his comrade, General Mutate ole Nkapiani in 1955, wants the Government to set up a National Fund to cater for the welfare of freedom fighters and their families.

“Though belatedly, the Government should recognise our heroes and heroines for the role they played in the fight for independence. Majority of the people who fought for independence who are still alive are living in abject poverty yet others continue to benefit from their struggle,” she added. 

She further stated: “The Constitution will be useless if the Government continues to neglect those who fought for independence.”