Dedan Kimathi: A wanted man and an elusive hunt in the Aberdares

Mau Mau leader Dedan Kimathi after his capture [File]

That Mau Mau leader Dedan Kimathi was an elusive chap is not in doubt. His ability to lead British soldiers off course is legendary. But from 1955, the colonial police were even more determined to nail the freedom fighters’ kingpin, especially for his latest ‘treasonable’ activities.

That year, Kimathi had just been installed as the “Prime minister of the legitimate interim government of Kenya” with Karari Njama as “Chief Secretary.” That made him a marked man by the British, as well as the collaborating African soldiers scouring the Aberdares for his hideout. Traps were laid to no avail. The soldiers even looked for any unusual behaviour in wild animals and birds. Any ‘suspect’ cry or chirping would indicate the presence of a human being. The animals gave no such hints.