Heroes are usually honored

On June 9, 2014, Dennis Odunga reported in Kenya’s Daily Nation newspaper the ordeal of a man chained to Dedan Kimathi’s statue. The chained main, later identified as the grandson of the late Dedan Kimathi, stated to the media, “I have come here in honor of my late grandfather. I have a right to be next to his statue as it reminds me of him and his relentless struggle for the freedom we enjoy.” ¹ The five-hour episode involved the pleas of onlookers to come down to the threats of the General Service Unity security. It also raises the question, have we forgotten about the sacrifices of Kimathi, a Mau freedom fighter hanged by the colonial government in 1957? Kimathi’s story is full of debates on his role in Kenya’s freedom struggle, the location of his remains, which have not been found, his statue and his public image use, the lingering poverty of his family, and the general handling of the Kenyan government on Mau Mau. This study analyzes various perspectives, from hip hop artists to surviving Mau Mau veterans, to explore the historiographical developments and legacy of Kimathi in light of Kenya’s current economic and political state. The study argues that we should continue to question the “Kimathi was a hero” narrative as it relates to the complex and changing forces that continue to shape his legacy.