The children of Mau Mau freedom fighters have issued a stern warning to opposition leaders, accusing them of politicising the Mau Mau liberation struggle for personal and partisan gain.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the Mau Mau veterans’ children cautioned that the continued use of the Mau Mau name in political rallies and statements risks damaging relations between surviving veterans and the current government, a situation they fear could negatively affect ongoing and future compensation efforts.
They maintained that the Mau Mau movement was never about politics, but a collective national struggle for Kenya’s independence that cut across communities and regions.
“Opposition leaders should stop using the Mau Mau name in their politics. They should do their politics without involving Mau Mau,” said Robert Ndirangu, the Mau Mau Children Youth Representative.
Ndirangu warned that linking the liberation movement to current political battles could jeopardise the welfare of the remaining veterans.
“We, as the children of Mau Mau, cannot agree to the use of the Mau Mau name in a way that deteriorates the relationship between the veterans and the government, because that may affect their compensation, and we cannot accept that,” he said.
He specifically called out former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), and other opposition figures, urging them to refrain from invoking the Mau Mau legacy in political discourse.
“We want to tell Gachagua, DCP and all the opposition to stop mentioning Mau Mau,” Ndirangu added.
Echoing the same sentiments, Mau Mau Children Chairman General Kiambati Jnr criticised politicians for what he termed as selective and opportunistic use of Mau Mau history.
“We want to ask politicians to stop uploading Mau Mau history and turning it into political gain. Mau Mau was not for politics but for the independence of this country, and it cuts across all regions. We strongly dissociate ourselves from such activities,” Kiambati Jnr said.
He noted that many Mau Mau veterans suffered and died without receiving justice or compensation, accusing some leaders of invoking the movement only when it suits their political narratives, rather than championing the welfare of surviving fighters and their families.
In recent years, Rigathi Gachagua and other politicians have often referred to themselves as “sons of Mau Mau” to underscore their roots in the Mount Kenya region and associate themselves with the liberation struggle. However, the veterans’ children have now firmly rejected this narrative, calling on leaders to stop appropriating the Mau Mau identity.
At the same time, the Mau Mau children appealed to the government to prioritise the welfare of the remaining veterans, noting that many are elderly, in poor health, and in urgent need of support.
They urged the state to fast-track compensation and healthcare for the veterans, stressing that recognising and caring for the fighters who secured Kenya’s independence should remain a national priority, free from political manipulation.