Mama Ngina Kenyatta speaks, calls for political tolerance

Kenya's founding First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta has called for political tolerance amid heightened tension and acrimony.

Speaking on a day when the opposition resumed anti-government town hall meetings and the bipartisan talks between Azimio and Kenya Kwanza parties failed to take off, Mama Ngina emphasised the need for peace.

"As my children and Kenyans, I urge all of you to continue preaching and maintaining peace and know that we have brought this country from far," she said yesterday.

Mama Ngina was speaking during a media briefing at her Muthaiga residence in Nairobi shortly after former Mau Mau freedom fighter Muthoni wa Kirima and family paid her a courtesy call. Ms Muthoni also gifted Mama Ngina goats, a pot, a three-legged stool, a traditional tray, a kiondo (African basket) and foodstuff as a show of gratitude for her support.

In a thinly veiled attack, Mama Ngina took a swipe at the political class, asserting that hers and Muthoni's generation were the true Mau Mau fighters and that their efforts will always be appreciated.

"Najua sasa mmeona wale walipigania uhuru wetu, kwa sababu kila mtu siku hizi ni mjuaji (I now know that the country has seen the people that fought for our independence because some people pretend to know it all)," said Mama Ngina.

This was the first time Mama Ngina opened up her home to the media.

Her sentiments came five days after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said Mau Mau descendants are living in deplorable conditions.

Speaking in Nyandurua, Mr Gachagua said the Mau Mau descendants are squatters and need to be dignified by being issued with title deeds.

The DP claimed that the money paid for compensation by white colonialists was diverted to benefit "those who took over power at the expense of the locals".

Muthoni yesterday recounted the struggles they endured for 12 years and urged Kenyans to observe peace and protect their natural resources.

"God has given us a beautiful country that never lacks. It is a land of plenty. I have been to other countries and I can assure you nothing compares to Kenya. Let us protect it," she said.

Her family also said that nearly one year after she cut her symbolic dreadlocks, officials from the National Museums of Kenya were yet to collect them and put them up for display at the Uhuru Gardens Museum as agreed.

"Officials from the National Museum of Kenya visited our home and it was agreed her hair would be displayed at the museum but to date, they have not come back. We urge that they honour Muthoni's wish," said Muthoni's grandson Samuel Kariuki.

The Mau Mau veteran was in the limelight last year after she invited Mama Ngina to shave her decades-old dreadlocks, which she explained signified the end of the struggles that she and Kenya had gone through under colonial rule.

Other than the act of cutting Muthoni's locks, Mama Ngina cleared Sh4.7 million loan that she had taken from a local bank.

The former First Lady also bought Muthoni a home in Nyeri last year. The freedom fighter thanked Mama Ngina for accepting her invitation to travel to Nyeri on April 1 last year to shave her dreadlocks.

"I cut my hair because it has been a long journey. I started keeping this hair in 1952 and after more than 70 years, I needed to get rid of them. I now feel like a young girl," said Muthoni.

Mama Ngina said that Muthoni's dreadlocks will be taken to the museum to remind future generations and visitors of the sacrifices Kenyan freedom fighters made.

At the thanksgiving at the former First Lady's home, the field marshal was accompanied by her family and Kikuyu elders.

Also present was businesswoman and politician Agnes Kagure.