63 Years After His Death, Dedan Kimathi’s Grave Remains a Mystery

Today, 18^th February 2020 marks 63 years after freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi was hanged by colonialists and his body dumped in an unmarked grave.

Kimathi was only 37 years old when he was sentenced to death by the British government after being found guilty of murder and terrorism.

In October 1956, Dedan Kimathi found himself surrounded by British forces in the open country of Kikuyu reserve, after being forced out of the forest in search of food.

Having suffered from a bullet in his abdomen, Kimathi was arrested and taken for trial in Nyeri, presided over by the then Chief Justice, Sir Kenneth O’Conner.

Kimathi was sentenced to death while on a hospital bed at the Nyeri General Hospital and was hanged on February 18, 1957, with his body being tossed in an unmarked pit to prevent his followers from turning the place into a shrine.

Conflict over His Grave

In October 2019, news emerged that Kimathi’s grave had been identified after a foundation in his name claimed to have found his gravesite.

The news was welcomed and celebrated by many Kenyans who had long been anticipating the identification of his remains.

However, the celebration was short-lived after the Ministry of Interior denied the claims and termed the news false and misleading.

Kimathi’s grave remains a mystery and Kenyans have been calling for the government to find his grave and accord him the respect he deserves.