Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia wants the state to allocate Sh10 billion to compensate freedom heroes.
He said on Tuesday that everywhere across the country, heroes who liberated Kenya from the yoke of colonialism are still struggling in poverty, hence the need to consider compensating them.
“The President should give at least Sh10 billion to fix the Mau Mau problems once and for all,” he said.
Kimemia spoke in Ol Kalou Stadium during Mashujaa Day celebrations. He expressed concern that in the recent past, the problems bedevilling the freedom fighters have been compounded by imposters, some born years after Kenya gained Independence in 1963.
“When the question of compensating the freedom fighters is raised, you find other fake characters in their 20s and 40s also coming to claim they also fought in the forest. Which forest when you were not even born?” the governor asked.
He was responding to a compensation request by Mau Mau war veterans. Speaking on their behalf, Captain Juma Macharia said the war veterans fought for the liberation of the whole country and not just some regions.
“When a soldier retires, they are given some benefits. Tell the President to give us our retirement benefits and other things that we were promised,” he told the county chief.
He said their days on earth are numbered because of old age and sickness, thus it would be appropriate for them to be acknowledged and their needs addressed promptly and appropriately.
Macharia likened their predicament to that of a team that wins a football tournament, only for the trophy to be given to spectators.
After Independence was won, home guards and collaborators were given the opportunities to enjoy the fruits, while the real war heroes were left with nothing, he said.
