Freedom fighter Muthoni Kirima is dead

By Peter Ochieng

Mau Mau fighter Field Marshall Muthoni Kirima has rested.

She died at about 3am on Tuesday, after being rushed for treatment at a hospital in Pangani, Nairobi.

She was aged 91.

Samuel Kariuki, her grandson said it is shocking since she was never sick.

"We are saddened, we accept that our grandmother has left us and that she is no more! We spoke yesterday and she was okay. She has never been unwell, she has never been taken ill, neither has she ever been admitted in hospital. All she kept saying was that an issue with her hand because while in the forest, she had been shot and again fell and hurt her arm," he said.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on his condolence message said Kirima said played a key role in Kenya's fight for independence.

"I have woken up to sad news of the passing on of Field Marshall Muthoni Kirima, the gallant freedom fighter who fought side by side with Field Marshall Dedan Kimathi Wachiuri in the Mt. Kenya and Aberdare forests to drive colonialists from our land."

"I join her family and descendants of the Mau Mau war of liberation in mourning the loss of our Mother Field Marshall Muthoni wa Kirima. 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 his personal assistant, after he was betrayed by collaborators," said the DP.

"We remain indebted to these great heroes and heroines for the Sacrifice to liberate our land. May God Rest Her in Eternal peace and give strength to her family to bear the loss."

Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga compared her death to the fall of a Mugumo tree.

Her body has been moved to the Lee Funeral Home, awaiting burial arrangements.

Kirima's death comes four months after the death of Mukami Kimathi.

Mukami, freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi's wife died in May, a