Freedom fighter died on Madaraka Day
Sons of late freedom fighter Fred Kubai, from left, Gideon, Blacklaw and Andrew during a past interview at the Nation Centre in Nairobi. Photo/FILE
What you need to know:
- He was among the nationalists who were charged with plotting to overthrow the colonial government through the Mau Mau guerrilla movement.
Celebrated former freedom fighter Fred Kubai died of illness on the Madaraka Day of 1996 at the age of 79. Until his death, Kubai had for three years been on a wheelchair after suffering a severe stroke and having his left foot amputated. He had also lost his speech.
Mr Kubai was among the Kapenguria Six group led by Jomo Kenyatta, who were detained for fighting against British colonialism in 1952 when a state of emergency was declared in the colony as a result of the Mau Mau struggle.
He, along with the other five freedom fighters, were detained for seven years. Their trial, actually a miscarriage of justice, was taken to the remote Kapenguria and they were detained in Lokitaung Prison.
He was among the nationalists who were charged with plotting to overthrow the colonial government through the Mau Mau guerrilla movement.
In 1960, Kubai was the first of the Kapenguria Six to be transferred to house detention and restricted in Kabarnet Township in Baringo District.
He was released from detention on May 1961 but was placed under house restriction.
In 1962, he was set free. Even before could be identified with the Mau Mau movement, Kubai played his role in trade union politics. He was the first chairman of the Transport and Allied Workers Union (TAWU).
Soon after, he was appointed the director of the Kenya Federation of Labour. The same year, he was appointed president of the East African Trade Union Congress.
