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Female super hero spy! Kenyan actor pushes for road to be named after Field Marshall Muthoni

By Wangu Kanuri December 8th, 2022 2 min read

Kenyan storyteller Mugambi Nthiga has asked Kenyans to sign a petition that would see a road named after a Mau Mau female freedom fighter Field Marshall Muthoni Wa Kirima.

Mugambi who has made a name for himself in the film and art industry shared that it was sad that freedom fighters who shed blood and lost their lives for the country were yet to be fully honoured for their sacrifice and work.

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The petition aims at getting 200 signatures, the renowned thespian observed that remembering our past is a national principle and priority, and honouring our heroes while they live is paramount.

“This petition calls for the Nyeri County Assembly and national duty bearers mandated with preserving and honouring national culture to name a road after Field Marshall Kirima.

While she still lives and reminds Kenyans in the future of the sacrifice it took for us to enjoy the fruits of our nation.”

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At the age of about 20 years, Muthoni became a spy for the Mau Mau fighters who had camped in the forest in 1952. She had barely stayed with her husband, General Mutungi, for a year when they joined the freedom struggle in the early 1960s and went their different ways into the forest of Mt Kenya.

Gen Mutungi died in 1965- two years after the end of the freedom struggle- taking with him to the grave the only hope of Muthoni settling down again to start a family.

“She never had children of her own, she says Kirinyaga (Kenya) is her only child.”

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Mugambi’s sentiments come barely hours after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua told the UK Foreign Secretary that he would have a discussion with him and the British High Commissioner about compensation of Mau Mau fighters.

“The British people have a rich history with the Kenyan people. 90 per cent of it is good and 10 per cent of it is acrimonious.

I know with this great project, we will wipe out the 10 per cent. But before you (UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly) leave, I will meet with you and the British High Commissioner so we can have a conversation about compensation of our Mau Mau.”

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