82-Year Old Weeps While Chained to Nairobi CBD Statue

Former freedom fighter Kimani Kariuki chained at Dedan Kimathi statue in Nairobi CBD on Tuesday, 8, 2020.
Former freedom fighter Kimani Kariuki chained at Dedan Kimathi statue in Nairobi CBD on Tuesday, 8, 2020.
Daily Nation

An elderly man aged 82 years broke into tears as he chained himself on the Dedan Kimathi statue in Nairobi to protest a land injustice against him.

The man identified as Kimani Kariuki claimed that he was a freedom fighter and was seeking the attention of the government regarding land compensation.

He also noted that he lost the parcel after a road was constructed on it but he ws yet to receive compensation from the state.

"I am stuck here but I was with Dedan Kimathi while fighting for freedom. I had land but it was taken for a road to be constructed on it and they have refused to refund me.

An image of the Dedan Kimathi statue at Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
The Dedan Kimathi statue at Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
Daily Nation

"They had been ordered by the County Commissioner to come and do a valuation test which was done. I suffered under the colonizers and now under the African government. The lands officials have refused to pay me," stated Kariuki.

He further noted that he had been leaving like a pauper and had been waiting for a cheque since the land was taken away in 2013.

"Now I am suffering. They have taken away everything. I had taken a vow in 1952 to fight the colonialists over land. 

"I am weak and I cannot hear properly because there is a bomb that was detonated near me in 1953," he stated amidst sobs.

He further noted that he was not opposed to the construction of the road but needs his dues, amounting to Ksh4.7 million settled.

His pleas pile onto woes faced by Mau Mau fighters who have been in a tussle with both the Kenyan and British governments over injustices meted against them.

In 2016, the veterans demanded Ksh21 trillion from British government over the atrocities.

The faction has a membership of about 75,000 former fighters and they were demanding a payout of at least Ksh28 million for each person.

In 2013, the UK government had awarded Ksh2.5 billion to 5,228 Mau Mau survivors.

Below is the video of Kariuki:

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