When the Mau Mau war ended, there was a flurry of literature:recollections of a burning time, each trying to make sense of the fire that had just passed. They spoke of courage and betrayal, of hunger and hope, of uhuru and after. I make it my habit to leaf through such books once in a while.
Yet, there are stories that were never told, and remain untold to this day.These are the stories of the Mau Mau children: those born under the shadow of trees, whose lullabies were the crackle of gunfire and the whisper of rain on leaves.
In 1954, one such story began in Tetu, Nyeri.A young woman named Agnes Theuri killed a homeguard who had tried to violate her. Fleeing the government’s vengeance, she sought refuge in the Aberdare forest, joining a band of freedom fighters that included her brother Capt.Theuri.
For nine years, she moved with them through mist and hunger, carrying the weight of rebellion. In the forest’s cold cradle, she gave birth to a boy, her only light in the long night of war.
When uhuru came in 1963, Agnes was among the matted matigari (survivors) who emerged from the forest , dreadlocks falling over hollow faces, homemade rifles slung over weary shoulders, and eyes that had seen too much.
Beside her walked her 8 year old son- timid, barefoot, clutching her torn dress as if the world might swallow him whole.On the bus from Rùring’ù to Mathira, curious faces turned toward them.
“What did you eat in the forest?” they asked.
“Does your boy talk?”
“Does he have a father?”
Agnes answered softly. The boy, having never seen such crowds ,or even a bus ,was too shocked to speak.
Where are those people now – the forest’s forgotten sons and daughters? How did they grow? What dreams did they carry?
Until their stories are told, the tale of Mau Mau remains unfinished.
Hello.
Where can i get these books ?
You can get a copy either at Nuria Booksop or Prestige Bookshop in Nairobi.