Dedan Kimathi

Uncommon card · No. 179585

Dedan Kĩmathi Waciũri (born Kĩmathi Waciũri; 31 October 1920 – 18 February 1957) was the leader of the Kenya Land and Freedom Army during the Mau Mau Uprising (1952–1960) against the British colonial rule in Kenya in the 1950s. He was captured by the British in 1956 and executed in 1957. Kenya gained independence in 1963. Kĩmathi is credited with leading efforts to create formal military structures within the Mau Mau, and convening a war council in 1953. He, along with Baimungi M'marete, Musa Mwariama, Kubu Kubu, General China and Mũthoni Kīrīma, was one of the Field Marshals. Kenyan nationalists view him as a freedom fighter in the Kenyan struggle for independence, while the British colonial authorities labelled Kĩmathi as a terrorist, and according to historian David Anderson "did all they could to besmirch his reputation." Despite being viewed negatively by Kenya's first two presidents, Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel arap Moi, Kĩmathi and his fellow Mau Mau rebels were officially recognised...

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