Why Field Marshal Muthoni Kirima donned dreadlocks for 70 years

Field Marshal Muthoni Wa Kirima (seated left) with former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta after she shaved her dreadlocks.[Courtesy, John Muchucha]

Field Marshal Muthoni Kirima, who was laid to rest on Friday in Nyeri County, has been unrecognisable to many Kenyans who grew up when founding President Jomo Kenyatta was long gone.

In fact, anybody born at the turn of this century heard her name for the first time on April 2 when she had her seven-decades-old dreadlocks were shaved by Mama Ngina Kenyatta, widow of Mzee Kenyatta.