The Families of War Veterans who fought for independence through the Dini ya Msambwa from Western Kenya are asking for compensation from the government and colonialists
The Families have decried being neglected and forgotten, despite the legacy of their forefathers who fought for independence and are still remembered as heroes today.
They said they have formed a Public Benefit Organization (PBO), to identify all the families of Mau Mau War Veterans from the region, who have been neglected and push for their compensation.
Speaking in Kakamega after submitting their Memorandum to the Public Benefits Organizations Regulatory Authority (PBORA) during a public participation forum on the Public Benefits Organizations Regulations, 2025, the Mau Mau War Veterans (MMV) Western Kenya said most of the families of the heroes are living in abject poverty.
The Coordinator of MMV Kakamega, Amos Wanjala, said that those who fought for independence and are alive are struggling and the families of those who passed on are facing challenges.
He said they are joining hands with like-minded foundations such as the Jeremiah Mugi Foundation, Mau Mau War Veterans, Dedan Kimathi Foundation, to help the families of liberators to access justice.
They have identified families that belong to War veterans such as Elijah Masinde, Israel Khaoya Nyagah and Walimoli Wekuke among others.
They noted that Elijah Masinde was involved in liberation during the colonial period in 1948 through Dini ya Msambwa and was deported to Lamu after the colonial government banned and declared Dini ya Msambwa illegal.
He was later released in May 1960 but again detained between 1962 to 1978, during the pre-colonial period. Walimoli Wekuke was deported to Lamu alongside Elijah Masinde.
“I thank the Organization of MMV which has come to register us in order that we can receive compensation from colonial rulers of Kenya,” noted Cosmas Chaka, who claims he hails from the family of Elijah Masinde.
Erick Bisuche Wekuke from Ndalu said the families of the war veterans from western Kenya did not acquire education properly due to the challenges they went through of harassment and threats.
He said their forefathers who went to fight for independence were absent from their homes for a very long time, especially when they were jailed hence could not contribute to their families for posterity.
The Chairman of Bungoma County, Mau Mau War Veterans Arap Mwok Psomboi Wapsambu, said they are continuing to identify more families to include them in the Mau Mau War Veterans to try and seek their compensation and address the injustices that happened during the colonial period.
“We would like the injustices that happened during the colonial period to be addressed,” he noted.
“There are those who offered accommodation and cared for the ones who were fleeing from the radar and oppression of colonialists until independence was attained; we want them to be recognized also,” he noted.
Arap Mwok also said that to honor Kenyans who fought for the liberation of the country from colonialists, the government should ensure families of liberators live decent lives.
By Moses Wekesa
