Kenya’s Ministry of Interior denied reports that stated the grave of freedom fighter Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi had been discovered.
A foundation in his name on Friday claimed that the grave had been located at Kamiti Prison in the capital Nairobi saying the discovery followed numerous concerned efforts led by the Kenyan government.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the ministry said, “Our attention has been drawn to news on some platforms that the grave of our freedom fighter Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi has been found at Kamiti Prison. Please note these claims are false; such info will be relayed to the public only via our official communication channels.”
Following the claims, the family said it had prepared a site to hold a decent burial for Kimathi. It had been waiting for approval from the country’s authorities to excavate and exhume Kimathi’s remains.
Kimathi’s widow, Mukami, has appealed several times to President Uhuru Kenyatta to find her husband’s body as her last dying wish.
Kimathi was executed by hanging on February 18, 1957 effectively ending the Mau Mau revolution, one of the fiercest revolutions in Africa fighting for independence from the British colonial rule.
His body was buried at an unknown location, which has been the subject of interest over the years.
