State comes to the rescue of Mau mau war veteran late Brig Kiboko's family

Brigadier John Kiboko speaks during the burial of Mukami Kimathi, the widow of Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi on May 13, 2023. [Joseph Kipsang, Standard]

The government will pay the medical bills of the late Mau Mau war veteran Brigadier John Kagwe Kiboko.

Brigadier Kiboko died on August 18 at the Nairobi Hospital, where he had been admitted for three months, leaving behind a bill of Sh8.2 million.

Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha visited the family at their home in Ngorika village, Kanjuiri ward, on Sunday evening.

“We are in talks with the national government and have agreed that the two levels of government will find a way of paying the Sh8.2 million bill,” said Badilisha.

The county boss said top government officials are expected to attend the funeral scheduled for Friday this week.

“Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is among the leaders who will attend the funeral. We are grateful for every support extended to this family,” he said.

Brigadier Kiboko was among the lead Mau Mau freedom fighters who fought alongside the late Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi.

His last public appearance was during the funeral of the late Mukami Kimathi in May 2023, during which he made a plea to President William Ruto.

“I am requesting that we honour Mukami by exhuming the remains of Dedan Kimathi from Kamiti Prison, where he was buried in shackles. We need to give him a decent burial for his spirit to be free,” said Brig Kiboko.

The freedom fighter had initially offered to lead a team to pinpoint where Kimathi was buried.

“We had been imprisoned with Kimathi when he was executed and forced to dig his grave. Even if constructions are made, we shall manage to spot the grave,” said Kiboko.

President William Ruto agreed to the request and said the government would offer the team the necessary support.

Brigadier Kiboko, however, fell ill days later and was rushed to the Nairobi Hospital, where he was treated until his death.

The freedom fighter, whose age at his death is estimated at 94, is said to have been suffering from organ failure related to old age.