Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, on Friday, May 5, called for the exhumation of Dedan Kimathi’s body.
Speaking after eulogising Kimathi's widow, Mukami Kimathi, who passed on Thursday, May 4, Kuria insisted that exhuming the body would allow the government to accord the heroes a joint burial.
He also implored the British government to collaborate with President William Ruto's administration to identify where Dedan Kimathi was buried.
"I believe firmly that it is still possible, probably with the support of the British government, to identify the exact place he was buried so that as we mourn Mukami, we should have Kimathi’s remains exhumed for a joint burial," Kuria told the press at Lee Funeral, Nairobi.
Before she passed away, Mukami had also requested the government to help her trace Dedan Kimathi's grave. The deceased indicated that it was her family's wish to bury their kin who played a critical role in the fight for Kenya's independence.
Kuria also called for proper recognition of freedom fighters in the country, including addressing the issue of their compensation.
The government, he announced, was set to launch a plan to support the deceased widow in mid-May 2023, a week after she passed away.
Among the plans was to institutionalise her contribution to the country's struggle for independence.
"Under the leadership of the deputy president, we had our plans which were actually supposed to launch next week to support this family,” Kuria indicated.
"The legacy of Dedan Kimathi and Mukami Kimathi must be institutionalized," he added.
Eulogising Mukami, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also vowed to address the issue of land injustices which he claimed had affected most freedom fighters in the country.
"There are thousands of Kenyans who fought for independence and still live in poverty despite the fact that the British Government set aside land for their resettlement. These are questions that in the coming days, we shall continue to have discussions on how these historical injustices can be addressed," Gachagua stated.
He assured Mukami's family of government support in burying the late freedom fighter. According to Gachagua, senior government officials would oversee the burial preparations.
Earlier, President Ruto eulogised Mukami as a steadfast leader who championed national unity.
"Mama Mukami Kimathi courageously withstood the brutality of colonial oppression, proudly wore the scars of the battle and bore the terrible losses of war with admirable fortitude.
"Mukami Kimathi was also a steadfast patriot and well-known champion for national unity who inspired many Kenyans of all ages to cherish our country and stand ready to defend our values," Ruto's condolences note read.
