Mama Ngina Kenyatta speaks, calls for political tolerance

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. [DPPS]

Speaking in Nyandurua, Mr Gachagua said the Mau Mau descendants are squatters and need to be dignified by being issued with title deeds.

The DP claimed that the money paid for compensation by white colonialists was diverted to benefit "those who took over power at the expense of the locals".

Muthoni yesterday recounted the struggles they endured for 12 years and urged Kenyans to observe peace and protect their natural resources.

"God has given us a beautiful country that never lacks. It is a land of plenty. I have been to other countries and I can assure you nothing compares to Kenya. Let us protect it," she said.

Her family also said that nearly one year after she cut her symbolic dreadlocks, officials from the National Museums of Kenya were yet to collect them and put them up for display at the Uhuru Gardens Museum as agreed.

"Officials from the National Museum of Kenya visited our home and it was agreed her hair would be displayed at the museum but to date, they have not come back. We urge that they honour Muthoni's wish," said Muthoni's grandson Samuel Kariuki.

The Mau Mau veteran was in the limelight last year after she invited Mama Ngina to shave her decades-old dreadlocks, which she explained signified the end of the struggles that she and Kenya had gone through under colonial rule.

Field Marshal Muthoni Wa Kirima (seated left) with former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta. [John Muchucha, Standard]

Other than the act of cutting Muthoni's locks, Mama Ngina cleared Sh4.7 million loan that she had taken from a local bank.

The former First Lady also bought Muthoni a home in Nyeri last year. The freedom fighter thanked Mama Ngina for accepting her invitation to travel to Nyeri on April 1 last year to shave her dreadlocks.

"I cut my hair because it has been a long journey. I started keeping this hair in 1952 and after more than 70 years, I needed to get rid of them. I now feel like a young girl," said Muthoni.

Mama Ngina said that Muthoni's dreadlocks will be taken to the museum to remind future generations and visitors of the sacrifices Kenyan freedom fighters made.

At the thanksgiving at the former First Lady's home, the field marshal was accompanied by her family and Kikuyu elders.

Also present was businesswoman and politician Agnes Kagure.