Mijikenda heroine Mekatilili Menza was yesterday honored in Malindi by Kaya elders and a delegation of Mau Mau war veterans in a colorful ceremony. Hundreds of residents marched in the town wearing traditional regalia to commemorate the heroine who led the Giriama in the first rebellion against the British colonial rule in 1913 and 1914.
The ceremony dubbed Mekatilii Festival that is celebrated yearly from Auguust 10 to 13, attracted locals and tourists. The procession was flagged off by a National Museums of Kenya representative from Lamu. The group later converged at the Malindi Cultural Museum where the leaders displayed exhibition traditional artifacts and other regalia that were used in the ancient times.
The theme of this year’s festival organized by Malindi District Cultural Association was preaching peace and unity for the nation ahead of the general election. It also brought forward three communities from the Mijikenda, Central Kenya, and Taita Taveta kin of Mwangeka al who are former freedom fighters.
Among key personalities who were present at the celebrations include Githu wa Kahingeri the secretary of Mau Mau War veterans Association, the guest of Honour, Sylvia Menya from Taita Taveta who reportedly cooked for war retreats including Kenya’s first President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
Also present were Kaya elders led by Joseph Karisa Mwarandu, Sayo Mkare the granddaughter of Mekatilili Menza among others. During the celebrations Githu Wa Kahingeri was honored with the award of Exemplary, Services Rendered by Freedom Fighters. In his Key address speech he talked much of the Importance of conditional dispensation and good governance.
He said Kenyans ought to elect leaders who were corruption free in order to be able to receive quality leadership. At the same time the former freedom fighter touched on the progress of the case which is going on in Britain and hoped justice would prevail. “We should elect fair and non-corrupt leaders in the oncoming general elections,’’ he said.
On his part Mwarandu stressed that there was need for Kenyans to coexist peacefully and unite during the polls top avoid any cases of violence that could cause bloodshed in the country. This year’s celebrations however were different as the festival began in Malindi and the climax will be in Bungale area where Mekatilili was believed to have been buried in August 13 1914.
Usually the ceremony used to be held at Bungale and the climax in Malindi which the organizers Malindi District Cultura Association attributed to enable them catch a huge crowd in the town. The climax of the festival will be today and the elders are expected to conduct a traditional wedding for an Italian couple at the site of Mekatilii Menza.