Kenya Freedom fighter, Field Marshall, Muthoni Kirima has died at the age of 92.
She died as she was rushed to Radiant Hospital in Pangani Nairobi in the wee hours of Tuesday morning.
Through a Facebook post on her page, Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga made the announcement of her demise.
“I cannot fathom or believe that at 3.01 am I am still up because like they say in my community, a Mugumo tree has fallen. I regret to announce to the world that we have lost one of our most prominent Mau Mau heroes. Field Marshal Muthoni Kirima has passed on. The Field Marshall was rushed to Radiant Hospital in Pangani but was pronounced dead on arrival” wrote Kahiga.
Field Marshal Muthoni Kirima
President William Ruto has expressed his condolences to the family, recognizing Muthoni as a powerful figure of broad influence who played a key role in Kenya’s fight for Independence through her unwavering dedication on the frontlines of the struggle
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also mourned her demise through a tweet and prayed for God’s comfort and strength to the Kirima family as they mourned the Field Marshal. He also noted that as a country we remain indebted to these heroes and heroines for the sacrifice to liberate our land.
“I have woken up to the sad news of the passing on of Field Marshal Muthoni Kirima, the gallant freedom fighter who fought side by side with Field Marshall Dedan Kimathi Wachiuri in the Mount Kenya and Aberdare Forest to drive colonialists from our land. We recall with pride and sheer admiration, her exploits in leading the land and freedom army after the capture of freedom hero Dedan Kimathi whom she served as personal assistant, after he was betrayed by collaborators.”
Muthoni’s last major public appearance was during the opening of the Muthoni Kirima Bus Terminus in Nyeri town on August 7 by President William Ruto. The ultra-modern bus terminus was named after her as an acknowledgment of her contribution to the liberation struggle.
Field Marshal Muthoni holds a unique distinction of being the only woman to hold the title of Field Marshall, in the liberation struggles, while other women provided essential support by cooking for the Mau Mau fighters.
Muthoni was born in Nairutia, Kenya in 1930, She was born with the name Muthoni Whihuini from her grandfather. Her resolve to join in the uprising to free her people and her country came after she witnessed verbal and emotional abuse, physical violence toward Kikuyu men, and sexual violence towards Kikuyu women while working at a farm of a white settler. She took the Oath in 1952.
In April this year, she made a significant gesture by shaving her six-foot-long dreadlocks in a ceremony that was witnessed by former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta.
The dreadlocks had been a symbol of her commitment to the struggle for Kenya’s independence for an astounding 70 years. The decision to shave them off was a symbolic act that marked Kenya’s attainment of full independence.