Mekatilili takes place of honour

ROBERT NYAGAH| NATION
A statue of Mekatilili Wa Menza, a heroine of the freedom struggle at the former Malindi Uhuru Gardens now named Mekatilili Garden. She led the Giriama in a rebellion against the British rule between 1913 and 1914.

A ceremony to honour Giriama heroine Mekatilili wa Menza dominated proceedings in Malindi on Wednesday.

A statue was unveiled at the former Uhuru Garden of the woman who led the Giriama uprising against the British in 1913 and 1914.

The garden was renamed Mekatilili wa Menza Garden in her honour.

The celebrations continued overnight at the Madica Centre (Malindi District Cultural Association).

Fitting honour

In the morning, members of Madica and guests from Galana, Weruni and Godoma gathered at the Malindi Museum for a procession on Beach road.

The procession ended at Mekatilili wa Menza Garden where the statue was unveiled.

A Malindi lawyer, Mr Joseph Karisa Mwarandu, was installed a Giriama hero, while Ms Ruth Njoroge Engeseni who led a delegation from Mt Kenya and Maasailand to the Mekatilili wa Menza celebrations, was made a Giriama heroine and installed as “Mekatilili wa Menza”.