Uhuru, Mama Ngina Mourn Freedom Fighter Muthoni wa Kirima
Their tribute came two weeks after the field marshal died on Tuesday, September 5 after being rushed to Radiant Hospital in Pangani.
Marvin Chege 
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and his mother, former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta, have paid tribute to Field Marshal Muthoni Wa Kirima, who will be laid to rest at her home in Nyeri on Friday, September 22.
Their tribute came two weeks after the field marshal died on Tuesday, September 5 after being rushed to Radiant Hospital in Pangani.
Uhuru and Mama Ngina termed the demise of Wa Kirima as one that has left a big vacuum to fill, adding that it will not take just consolation words to fill the gap.
"Former President H.E Uhuru Kenyatta and former First Lady H.E. Mama Ngina Kenyatta join the family, relatives and friends of maitu, late Field Marshal Muthoni Wa Kirima in celebrating the life of a patriot who has left a huge vacuum that will be hard to fill – certainly not by these few words of consolation.
Portrait of the late freedom fighter, Muthoni wa Kirima. /UHURU KENYATTA
"H.E Uhuru Kenyatta described Field Marshall Muthoni wa Kirima, nyina wa thonjo, as a patriot, a great warrior, one of the most revered Mau Mau shujaa freedom fighters," the statement read in part.
Uhuru added that her footprints, especially in the forest, moulded and played a crucial role in supporting like-minded leaders, in the fight to free our country from the colonialists.
Those footprints also proved integral in the fight for Kenyans’ rights of political, social and economic growth towards our country’s freedom, independence, and development.
"She is, and remains, in our rich historical liberation struggle and success. She will not only be remembered for her bravery and courage but also for her diligence and delivery to Kenya," he added.
On her part, Mama Ngina eulogised the departed by cherishing the memory and joy that Wa Kirima, herself and others, met in the recent past and shared many stories together.
"I thank God for the privilege and honour to have known and shared the very challenging difficult period in our country during the colonial government, together with many others, including Field Marshall Muthoni wa Kirima, nyina wa thonjo.”
"As a people, we thank God for all our Mau Mau shujaa freedom fighters, for their selflessness, dedication and commitment, who paid the ultimate price to enable us to be where we are today. Fare thee well and rest in peace, Mau Mau shujaa freedom fighter, Field Marshall Muthoni wa Kirima, nyina wa thonjo," the statement continued.
Muthoni wa Kirima Death
The funeral is being held in Nyeri County and among those in attendance include Wiper Party Leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, former Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eugene Wamalwa and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was the first to break the news of the death of the 92-year-old marshal, who was a top-ranking female fighter in the Mau Mau war.
“We recall with pride and sheer admiration, her exploits in leading the land and freedom army after the capture of freedom hero Dedan Kimathi whom she served as his personal assistant, after he was betrayed by Collaborators,” Gachagua announced on X (formerly Twitter)
“We remain indebted to these great heroes and heroines for the Sacrifice to liberate our land,” he added.
According to Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, the Field Marshal was rushed to a hospital in Pangani after developing health complications. She was pronounced dead on arrival.
Muthoni wa Kirima Profile
Field Marshal Muthoni played a crucial role in Kenya’s fight for independence, serving as the personal assistant to the late freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi during the struggle for liberation.
Her commitment to the cause was unwavering, and she stood alongside Dedan Kimathi in the Mt. Kenya and Aberdare forests as they fought to drive colonialists from Kenyan soil.
Museum records show that Muthoni was born in 1930 as Muthoni Whihuini in Nairutia village, Nyeri County.
Former Nyeri Museum Curator Anthony Maina, who is currently in charge of the Murang’a museum, said she was named after her grandfather, foreshadowing her future as a woman breaking barriers in a male-dominated world.
Muthoni embraced Christianity during her childhood and learned about the new faith at missionaries’ tents alongside other children.
However, a distressing encounter at a settler’s farm, marked by racist altercations that included verbal and physical violence against Kikuyu men and sexual violence against Kikuyu women, changed her path.
This experience strengthened her determination to enter the forest and join the fight for her kinsmen’s liberation in 1948.
Joseph Macharia Mwangi, a Mau Mau war veteran known as General Kihithuki, who fought alongside Muthoni, confirmed her involvement with the Kenya Land and Freedom Army (KLFA), which led to the Mau Mau uprising in the Aberdare Forest.
“Muthoni was nicknamed ‘Nyina wa Thonjo’ meaning weaver bird, by Kimathi himself for her ability to get out of any situation,” revealed Macharia.
She achieved the unique distinction of becoming the only woman to hold the title of Field Marshal in the Mau Mau struggle. Her primary responsibility was leading raids on farms to procure food and livestock for the forest fighters.
Muthoni remained in the forest until the very end, surrendering to the independence government in 1963. The late founding President Jomo Kenyatta personally sent a vehicle to pick her up along with less than 20 other fighters from the forest before her public surrender at Ruringu Stadium in Nyeri.
