Book
A book that chronicles the life and times of one of Kenya’s earliest freedom fighters Mekatilili wa Menza has been released in Mombasa.
The book on the iconic freedom fighter, was unveiled at Honeymoon Gardens Hotel in Mombasa at a social event over the weekend that was attended by family and friends of the German-based Kenyan author, hordes of cultural enthusiasts, book lovers and collectors.
Female freedom fighter Mekatilili wa Menza, who led the coastal people to resist British colonial rule in the early 20th century, was honoured in the book titled ‘Empress of Revolt’ written by Neema Gakweli Warrakah. Mekatilili, a freedom fighter and Mijikenda leader, emerged as a key figure in African history through her resistance against slavery and colonialism in Kenya.
She was an embodiment of empowerment in the revolts, particularly the “Giriama Uprising,” which actively sought to protect Mijikenda culture, religion, and heritage. The book brings to life Mekatililis’s epic struggle for independence and convincingly argues a case for the catalytic impact of her struggle on decolonization in Kenya in general.
The author Neema says she is overjoyed that the book on the legendary freedom fighter Mekatilili wa Menza who gallantly fought for independence from British colonial rule has hit the market. Mekatilili Wa Menza is believed to have been born in the 1840s and is said to be one of Kenya’s earliest freedom fighters and the new book captures her triumphs and her challenges and serves as a remarkable tribute to a great leader.
She was born in Mutara wa Tsatsu Ganze village in Kilifi County, and her birth name was Mnyazi wa Menza. Mekatilili organized the Giriama people to rebel against the British who threatened their sovereignty and freedom with forced labour and taxation.
Menza died in the 1920s of natural causes and the Mekatilili wa Menza festival is held every August in her native county in her memory. Neema says the 268-page thrilling factual novel on the freedom fighter ‘Empress of Revolt’-fight for the motherland’s soul, contains untold narratives that shaped the coast region’s fight for liberation.
She says the new book skilfully reveals the untold tales of the fearless woman freedom fighter who longed for freedom and justice for her people. Neema, whose writing is deeply rooted in her Mijikenda heritage, invites readers on a captivating journey through the landscapes of imagination and the essence of cultural heritage.
She says the story of the Mijikenda is one of courage, resistance and the unbreakable bond between a people and their land. The author celebrates Mekatilili who defied the British and their stooges as among the few genuine heroes and heroines who had fought gallantly and laid down their dear lives while safeguarding their motherland.
Neema says she hopes her new book will help the people remember Mekatilili wa Menza’s rich legacy and emulate her heroic spirit and also to celebrate women who fought for independence. Born in Mombasa and later honed by the disciplines of nursing in Germany, the author stands at the nexus of neurology, psychiatry and profound storytelling.
Neema, a native of Kwale, says as a child growing up in Mombasa she found solace in book reading and writing short stories and was often fascinated by the tale of sheer guts and determination about Mekatilili. She says she traversed Kilifi the home county of Mekatilili and met with revered Kaya elders who told her the sacrifices laid down by the heroine who had fought gallantly against mighty British forces.
Empress of Revolt book author Neema Warrakah (centre) is joined by guests during the book unveiling ceremony in Mombasa.
Photos by Andrew Hinga/KNA
“There is a need to immortalize the memory and reflections of freedom heroes and heroines since their sacrifices and services for the motherland were matchless,” said Neema. Mekatilili wa Menza was one of the highly revered heroes and freedom fighters of Kenya and was once exiled to Kisii due to her numerous confrontations with the British.
“She objected to the British interfering in the customs of her people and in the process becoming a legend,” said Neema at the book unveiling ceremony. She says ‘Empress of Revolt’ is a beacon of inspiration, a vessel of history’s untold stories and testament to Mekatilili’s enduring spirit, a narrative that yearned to be shared with the world.
Mijikenda Kaya Elders Council Secretary Joseph Mwarandu welcomed the book on the heroine noting that her name deserved to be etched and chronicled in ‘our contemporary history for posterity to see and celebrate her’. Joseph Mwarandu says Mekatilili was among the few heroes and heroines who fought not for their ‘name and fame’ but singularly to free their people from bondage during the British colonial era.
He says the book; one Woman’s Fight for freedom offers a comprehensive and captivating account of Mekatilili’s struggle against British colonial occupation. Another revered Kaya elder Kazungu Hawerisa says Mekatilili embarked on an intense struggle to liberate her people from British colonial rule as they were destroying every fabric of the society.
“The selfless struggle of Mekatilili deserved to be immortalised in a book as the sacrifice of her life for the people was unimaginable,” said Hawerisa.
Former Cabinet Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere who attended the book launch stated that the book on Mekatilili seeks to create awareness among the people about the supreme sacrifice and patriotism of our heroes and heroines in the freedom struggle.
Mwakwere reckoned that Mekatilili was a brave woman who inspired her people to fight the oppressive British rule at a time it was rare for women to do so. He challenged authors to write about other significant fighters who led their people to rise up against British oppression in the independence movement.
Mwakwere named other unsung independence heroes from the coast region as Mohamed Mwamgunga, Mbodze Mbodze and Juma Bilashaka who were detained in 1952 and taken to Hola Camp which was established to house detainees classified as hard-core.
“These men all from Kwale County were detained in the 1950s as the sun was setting on the British Empire and the winds of freedom were blowing across the African continent,” said Mwakwere.
Mwakewere says the Empress of Revolt should be taken up by the Ministry of Education as a set book in schools in honour of Mekatilili’s invaluable and unparalleled contribution and sacrifice to the liberation struggle.