Senator Esther Okenyuri calls for recognition of Abagusii role in independence struggle

Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri. [Sammy Omingo, Standard] Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri has raised concern over the failure to recognise the role played by the Abagusii in the fight for Kenya's independence. Okenyuri in a statement sought to have the Senate furnished with a comprehensive index encompassing all references to the Abagusii and their heroes which explicitly acknowledges and chronicles the significant contributions made by the community during the struggle for independence. The Nominated Senator sought the provision of analysis of the National Heroes Council's pertaining to Moraa wa Ng'iti who was born in the mid-1800s in Gusii with particular emphasis on her opposition against the British rule and instrumental contribution to the pivotal Abagusii rebellion of 1905. "The Senate should be told of any plans in place by the National Heroes Council to ensure recognition and immortalisation of Moraa wa Ng'iti and to promote and entrench her name into national literature and in school curricular and place her at par with her contemporaries such as Mekatilili wa Menza," she said. Okenyuri told the House that Moraa foresaw the coming of colonialism in Gusii and its effect on the people just like Syokimau of the Akamba, Kimnyole of the Nandi, Mugo Wa Kibiru of the Agikuyu, Kinjekitile Ngwale of Tanzania among others. She said that Moraa forewarned her people that the British would take away their land and cattle and recruit their children into forced labour and also foretold that a local man Ombaati would betray the Abagusii and in 1907 her prophecy came true. The Nominated Senator narrated that when the colonialists set up mission stations with churches, dispensaries and schools in the Southern Lake region in Western Kenya, the Abagusii remained steadfast in their cultural practices. "The colonialists wanted to force them away from their land, which they resisted, they had fierce warriors, were familiar with their land and had seers and prophetess Moraa, this gave them an advantage over the British," she said. Okenyuri said that some Abagusii elders and chiefs collaborated with the British due to fear and desire for power, however, Moraa remained steadfast and incited her people to resist, in 1905, the colonial army swore vengeance against the Abagusii rebellion. She told the Senate that the colonial army killed hundreds of people, burned down homesteads, seized livestock and destroyed crops with Geoffrey Northcote going down in history as one of the most disliked colonialist rulers by the locals for his ruthless killings. The Nominated Senator said that to counter this, Moraa urged her nephew, one of the most revered warriors, Otenyo Nyamantere to lead an attack against the British (the Gusii uprising of 1908) which was a success and Northcote demanded for his man-hunt. "Otenyo was arrested and was sentenced to death, after his execution Moraa became the next target, the Kisii collaborators her gave away, she was arrested and taken to Kisii Police Station where she was tortured for several days in order to cooperate with the British administration, however, this did not make her renounce her resistance to British occupation, which led to her recognition," said Okenyuri. She told the House that Moraa who died in 1929 is regarded as Gusii heroine for her courage, determination and resistance against the colonial administration which culminated in the 1908 Gusii uprising. The Nominated Senator said that freedom fighters help foster a sense of national identity and unity among Kenyans and it shows the struggle for independence was a collective effort that transcended ethnic, regional and cultural differences since the country promotes a shared narrative of national pride, solidarity and a common vision for the future. She explained that by recognising freedom fighters it ensures the preservation of their legacy for future generations. "Freedom fighters played a crucial role in shaping the Constitution by advocating for independence, human rights, social justice, unity, and democratic governance, the Constitution acknowledges their contributions and seeks to fulfill the ideals for which they fought, ensuring a just, inclusive nation for all Kenyans," said Okenyuri. The Heroes Act, 2014, provides for the recognition of heroes to establish criteria for the identification, selection and honouring of national heroes, to provide for the categories of heroes; to provide for the establishment of the National Heroes Council and for connected purposes. Heroes Act, no 5 of 2014 established the National Heroes Council to provide for identification, selection, recognition and honouring of National heroes, Monuments, sites in Kenya and the Diaspora.

Senator Esther Okenyuri calls for recognition of Abagusii role in independence struggle

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Senator Esther Okenyuri calls for recognition of Abagusii role in independence struggle

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