Mau Mau groups urged to unite over compensation push

Leaders warn that fragmentation across more than 57 organisations risks undermining reparations campaign for colonial-era victims

By Brian Gitonga

Leaders representing former freedom fighters and their descendants yesterday called for unity among more than 57 Mau Mau-related organisations, warning that fragmentation could undermine efforts to secure compensation and reparations for victims of British colonial atrocities.

The leaders, operating under the umbrella body MMV Associates CLG, said the numerous groups advocating for the welfare of former freedom fighters needed to establish a common platform to pursue compensation for those who were killed, injured, detained or displaced during Kenya’s struggle for independence.

They argued that the proliferation of separate organisations had created confusion in the reparations campaign, particularly following the operationalisation of the Public Benefit Organisations framework.

MMV Associates CLG Director General James Njuguna Mahuria said the organisation was established specifically to bring the various groups together and coordinate their efforts, ensuring that thousands of former freedom fighters and their descendants were not excluded from any compensation process.

“We need to bring these organisations together so that we can have a coordinated approach in seeking reparation and compensation for those who suffered during the struggle for independence,” Mahuria said.

The officials also announced that Paul Mwangi Gatundu, a grandson of former freedom fighter Kung’u Karumba, had assumed the position of acting chairman following the death of Samuel Wambugu.

Accepting the appointment, Gatundu called on the government, through the State Department for Culture and Heritage, to convene a meeting of leaders from the different Mau Mau organisations to chart a common way forward.

“We are ready to move forward and ensure that the remaining freedom fighters are able to benefit from the fruits of the struggle for independence,” Gatundu said.

He noted that approximately 5,000 former freedom fighters had previously received compensation from the British government, but said that figure represented only a small proportion of Kenyans who participated in the independence struggle. A coordinated process, he argued, was essential to ensure that surviving veterans and affected families were not left behind.

Mahuria confirmed that Gitu Kahengeri remained the organisation’s secretary and expressed optimism that the establishment of the PBO Authority could help advance the compensation process.

He disclosed that the organisation had recently received communication from Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo after submitting a memorandum seeking to participate in preparations for the next financial year’s budget. The letter, shown to journalists, asked the Principal Secretary for Culture and Heritage, Ummir Bashir, to consider a proposal submitted by MMV Associates CLG. The correspondence was also copied to the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer, Emmah Cherotich Kasis.

The briefing was also attended by Bishop Johnson Mwai and Father Gathang’i Waiguru, both of whom welcomed the initiative to bring the different groups together under a unified structure.

The officials further called on Kenyans to maintain peaceful coexistence as the country approaches the August 2027 general election, urging political leaders and their supporters to avoid actions and rhetoric that could undermine national unity.

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