North Imenti Member of Parliament Rahim Dawood has tabled a motion in Parliament seeking compensation for Mau Mau freedom fighters, particularly those from the Meru region, for the atrocities they suffered during the colonial period.
Speaking in Meru Town, Dawood said the motion aims to compel the British Government to provide reparations, including monetary compensation and land allocations, to surviving fighters and their descendants. He noted that despite their immense sacrifices, many of the veterans and their families continue to live in poverty.
“We must never forget the blood and sweat shed by our forefathers. The Mau Mau roads only ended in Central Kenya. It’s time we extend this recognition to Meru. The petition is now before the Parliamentary Committee, and we will not rest until justice is served to our forgotten heroes,” Dawood said.
He lamented that many descendants of Mau Mau fighters in Meru have endured decades of neglect, yet their parents and grandparents fought bravely for the country’s freedom. He recalled that during colonial times, access to quality education and healthcare was reserved for colonizers, while locals struggled in forests and detention camps.
The legislator also highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects in his constituency, revealing that a Sh2.1 billion infrastructure fund from the World Bank, channelled through the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), has been allocated for upgrading key roads from Kambakia to Meru Town. Proposed extensions include the Shauri Yako, Meru Church (MCK)–Main Road, and bypass routes.
“This supplementary budget will be a game-changer. We’ve already proposed the expansion of several road projects in North Imenti to KURA, and we expect procurement processes to begin before December,” he said.
Dawood expressed gratitude to the Kenya Kwanza administration, led by President William Ruto and his Deputy, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, for fulfilling their promise to upgrade the Gitoro Showground–Makutano–Meru Town–Gitimbine dual carriageway, a long-standing priority for the region.
Nominated MP Dorothy Muthoni supported Dawood’s motion, pledging to rally other lawmakers behind it once it comes up for debate in the National Assembly.
“The Mau Mau families deserve to be honoured and rewarded for their bravery and sacrifice. Their struggles laid the foundation for the freedoms we enjoy today,” she said.
Muthoni also called on Kenyans to promote peace, unity, and economic development, urging parents to monitor their children closely during the school holidays.
“Let us protect our young girls from teenage pregnancies and keep our youth away from drugs and alcohol. They must stay focused on education to build a brighter future for this country,” she advised.
She commended the ongoing Constituency-Based Equalisation (CBE) initiatives, saying they are helping to close long-standing development gaps.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day. We’ve waited through many regimes. Let us be patient with President Ruto’s government and support Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia in grassroots development,” she said.
By Muguongo Judy
