Mau Mau veterans call for peace in August General Election

The veterans spoke during a ceremony to commemorate the death of Mau Mau fighter Dedan Kimathi at Karuna-ini.PHOTO:COURTESY

Mau Mau veterans have asked politicians to stop pushing Kenyans into ethnic divisions ahead of the August General Election.

The veterans spoke during a ceremony to commemorate the death of Mau Mau fighter Dedan Kimathi at Karuna-ini.

The leaders, who were accompanied by Kimathi's widow, Mukami Kimathi, asked the country to remember their sacrifice for independence and not allow political divisions to destroy the peace and stability of the nation.

Students of Dedan Kimathi Memorial High School carried the frail Mukami Kimathi's wheelchair across the tea farm.

"I only ask that we respect each other, give each other space to speak without fighting, let us all live in peace," Mrs Kimathi said.

Tetu parliamentary aspirant Amos Kanyira said a monument should be constructed at the site in Karunia-ini to commemorate the lives of Kimathi and other freedom fighters.

He added that Dedan Kimathi's body should have been exhumed from Kamiti Maximum Prison and buried at the monument to give him the respect he deserves for his sacrifice.

"If the Jubilee government has not established a Kimathi shrine, it is unlikely that this will ever happen," Kanyira said.

Tetu Constituency Deputy County Commissioner Herman Shambi said the country did not belong to politicians but to Kenyans.

Field Marshal Muthoni wa Kirima said it was unfortunate that 60 years since Kimathi died, there was no effort to recognise the site and provide a monument worthy of his contribution to the struggle for independence.