Mau Mau veterans want schools, hospitals named after them

Mau Mau War Veterans Association on Wednesday presented a public petition to Murang’a County Assembly seeking recognition for their selfless struggle for independence.

The veterans, who claimed they have been forgotten by the national and county governments, were seeking recognition for the resistance against colonialism and the armed struggle of the Mau Mau liberation.

Association Secretary General Gitu Wa Kahengeri, who led them during the presentation of the petition, asked the Murang’a County Assembly to put up monuments in the county to mark the historical sites of interests.

He also suggested that streets, schools and other public facilities be named after the freedom fighters to carry on the legacy of the Mau Mau movement.

Mr Gitu, who is also the spokes person, requested the county government to offer an ex gracia payments as a token for their selflessness, and at the same time give them some pension money for the upkeep, noting that many are languishing in poverty.

On his part, Murang’a County Assembly Speaker Nduati Kariuki, who received the petition, said that they would take every measure to see the former freedom fighters are recognised in their society.

Karuiki also noted that Kenyans have a bad history in forgetting the past, adding that the county assembly will address the matters at hand.

He also noted that the assembly had presented a budget for an archive, noting that the petition had come at the right time as the county assembly wished to preserve the history in a better way.

By Bernice Sila