Honour freedom heroes by living up to their ideals

A few hours before his execution, freedom hero Dedan Kimathi was offered a last opportunity to speak with his wife. His speech to Mukami Kimathi, according to files made public just this week, was profound. He said... "My blood will water the tree of Independence." He knew that the British colonial rulers would execute him for leading a liberation army and had no regrets about it. He wanted all Kenyans to be free so they could prosper in their own country. For that to happen, he was ready to pay with his life. His desire was representative of what Kenyans at that time wanted for their country.

The Mau Mau movement led by Kimathi was similar to the Nandi uprising, the Mijikenda rebellion, Chetambe war, Kolowa massacre and many others across the country. Kenyans wanted independence from the colonialists to run their own affairs.