Mau Mau: Black My Story

The main group of Mount Kenya Freedom Fighters had their headquarters in Hombe Forest. They also operated in Muthea and Kabaru Forests. Others stayed in Meru and Embu Forests. The Meru fighters were led by General Simba and those of Embu by General Ndaya and General Kassam. General China was the Commander-in-Chief for all Mt. Kenya forces and his Generals were Tanganyika, Kariba and Rui. After China’s arrest in January 1954, General Tanganyika became the Commander-in-Chief.
General China formed another battalion from Mt. Kenya which operated between Mathira and Mukurweini Divisions and occasionally in North Tetu Division. It was the most dangerous to the security forces. It joined forces with the strong battalion led by General Kago of Murang’a District. General Ndaya’s battalion sometimes joined them in operations which took place day or night, in the forest or in the Reserves.
General China, Kariba and Tanganyika fought a very hot battle between Kiamachimbi and Ruiruiru in late 1953. The battle took place in the daytime near Mount Kenya. It started in the Tumutumu Hills, four miles from Karatina. Karatina was the Divisional Headquarters of the security forces. General China ordered his battalion to Kirimukuyu near Tumutumu Mission, to be met by Kariba, Tanganyika and Brigadier Rui of the Kenya Levellation Army. They spent one night there and on the following morning they were warned by a small girl Kanguniu that security forces were moving towards them. General Kariba ordered his men to move away and they went deeper into Tumutumu Hills. Meanwhile, the security forces reached Kirimukuyu. General China sent one brave soldier, Faranja, down the hill to spy on the enemies. He wore women’s clothing and was thus able to see them without being fired on. He reported back to China and the Freedom Fighters prepared themselves for battle. They were about one thousand strong and well-armed with rifles, sten-guns, bren-guns, grenades, pistols and much ammunition. Before the security forces could ascertain the position of their opponents, the Freedom Fighters opened fire. They hoped to find a way out of the dangerous position they were in. If they were pinned down, it would be possible for the government to call artillery and air strikes against them. The security forces returned fire and a battle raged for an hour. There was so much gunfire that the trees and green leaves caught fire. The fighters under China fought bravely and pushed the enemy back. China’s battalion was able to break out of the enclosure and they started towards Ruiruiru. But before they reached Ruiruiru, they again met with heavy fighting. The security forces were able to use aeroplanes, tanks and artillery in this one. They dropped many 3-5 pound bombs but killed no Mau Mau with them.
The government also called up reinforcements from Kiamachimbi, Nyeri and Nanyuki by radio. They prevented the Freedom Fighters from crossing the main Nyeri-Karatina road. However, after a two-hour battle, the Freedom Fighters were able to force their way between Ruiruiru and Mugumo wa Ndung’u and met a strong government force there. A brave Mau Mau soldier called Muraya nicknamed Long, opened his machine gun and exhorted all Freedom Fighters to fight bravely to save their lives. They followed his lead and were able to get away from that confrontation, but not until an hour’s hard fighting. The security forces had burned all houses in the area and there was so much smoke, it was like night. The women gathered at the bottom of Tumutumu Hill expecting to see their brave sons being killed, but the Freedom Fighters had the better of the battle. The report of the small girl, Kanguniu, saved more than a thousand lives. When our fighters reached Kiamachimbi camp, they fought strongly and were able to burn and destroy all the buildings and tents. Finally, they were able to reach Mt. Kenya and the safety of the forests. We had lost 21 men, but the government had lost 61. After the battle, we wrote the following song in commemoration! (…)

The Swords of Kirinyaga
H.K. Wachanga, 1975

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgoLLW-4Cxc

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tulisema this mau mau storos ni upuss na uongo

Yes, ni uongo na upuss

mkiwa na nani?

Very informative. I salute these guys

ngaati niaje

Ongesa hekaya chief

ipi mwanangu?

sandi sana ! …lakini i am still amazed that some countries got their independence without a drop of blood ! … was that an option to kenyans ?

General Mwariama is the only one I can recall with much ease

Chief, for example?

SOME. but for most blood was shed.

Stupid folklores of bandits

Be specific

Tanzania , Ghana , India … etc etc

kama shufta hivi hivi?
Ati leo Ay-rabs wamemalizana fifteen kwa ofis ya Mayor?

for Zambia…very little blood was shed

No.
Kenya was meant to be a colony like Australia New Zealand and Canada

What happened to their land they fought for??

Mau mau willl never be compensated. My Guka Died, having less than an acre of land. Saa hii the best thing peasants can do is to educate their sons