President Ruto, DP Gachagua mourn freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi's wife

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at the Lee Funeral Home on Friday, May 5. [James Wanzala]

President William Ruto has mourned the late freedom fighter's wife Dedan Kimathi, Mukami Kimathi, terming her a celebrated heroine of Kenya's struggle for independence.

Through his official Twitter page, Ruto described the late as a legendary fighter, a steadfast patriot and a wife of the legend, Dedan Waciuri Kimathi who was captured, tried and executed by the colonial administration.

"Mama Mukami Kimathi courageously withstood the brutality of colonial oppression, proudly wore the scars of the battle and bore the terrible losses of war with admirable fortitude.

" After winning the war for independence, Mama Mukami was left behind to fend and win the struggle to provide for her children in the absence of Field Marshall Kimathi. In her characteristic way, she also won this war," said Ruto.

Condoling with the family, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua described Mukami as a woman of steel, a symbol of defiance and kind hearted.

"As one of the Mau Mau fighters, alongside her husband Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi, she demonstrated her love for the nation when she took part in the war against the white colonialists, from the forest, to liberate Kenya," Rigathi tweeted.

"Mukami remains an inspiring figure to those of us in leadership. Rest well, Field Marshal Mukami, mother of our struggle."

Mukami died on Thursday night aged 96 while receiving treatment at a Nairobi hospital where she was admitted after developing breathing difficulties, according to her daughter Nyawira Kimathi.

Her body has since been moved to Lee Funeral Home, Nairobi.