After nearly 80 years of British Colonial rule, Kenya attained its full independence from Britain in 1963. Many Kenyans lost their lives for the fight and struggle for our independence, gaining the title “Mashujaa” or National Heroes. Today, October 20, we give tribute to the men and women who laid the foundation for the birth of our Republic, Kenya.
Official records at the Kenya National Archives shows that during the fight and struggle for independence, more than 10,000 Kenyans were killed by the British colonial security forces and nearly 50,000 Kenyans were also detained after the colonial administration declared the State of Emergency in October 1952.
At that time in the Kenyan history, the Mau Mau uprising became an undaunted force against the British Empire and it also instilled fear in British settlers. This marked the end of slavery within our borders which began in 1895 to 1963.
Dedan Kimathi, Ronald Ngala, Jaramongi Oginga Odinga, Jomo Kenyatta, Tom Mboya, Bildad Kaggia, Masinde Muliro, Kung’u Karumba,Koitalel Arap Samoei, Makhan Singh, Fred Kubai, Paul Ngei, Achieng’ Oneko, Mekatilili wa Menza, and many other freedom fighters are commemorated for their struggle of pains which birthed our freedom.
History will never change, all that we need to do is to understand it and celebrate it. As the country marks “Mashujaa day”, which freedom fighter are you celebrating today?
