Kimathi’s body will receive State burial, leaders say

Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka on Saturday announced plans to organise a State burial for freedom hero Dedan Kimathi.

Mr Odinga announced during Saturday’s Mashujaa Day celebrations that fresh burial arrangements would be done once a court order is issued to facilitate the exhumation of his body believed to have been interred somewhere at Kamiti Maximum prison by the colonial authorities.

“We will give Dedan Kimathi a decent burial once his body is exhumed,” the PM said.

He asked the Chief Justice, Dr Willy Mutunga, who was present at the event, to intervene so that an order allowing the exhumation of his body can be issued.

Mr Odinga said that all freedom heroes would have free access treatment in public health facilities in honour of their struggles.

“We have directed all government health institutions to offer all our freedom heroes free medical access,” Mr Odinga said.

He, however, did not indicate whether a circular to that effect has been issued by the concerned authorities.

The Prime Minister said the participation of Kenya’s brave liberation heroes would be commemorated next year during the country’s golden jubilee celebrations in June 2013.

He also pleaded with the British government not to challenge a ruling by a British court that allowed a case by three Mau Mau veterans to proceed.

On his part, Mr Musyoka said that the Prisons Department, which falls under the office of the Vice-President and ministry of Home Affairs, had finally discovered the grave where Kimathi was buried.

“We have found the accurate grave where the body of Dedan Kimathi were buried and we are now ready to organise a befitting burial once a court order authorising exhumation is issued,” the VP said.

He explained that the freedom fighter’s burial site was discovered with the help of former prisoners and warders who were there when he was buried.

Mr Musyoka said that all Kenyans who have struggled for the country’s freedom must be recognised; and he mentioned names of little-talked-about heroes including sportsmen, journalists and former public servants as people whose efforts in national development should not be forgotten.