She was simply known as Mukami Kimathi, the wife of the legendary Kenya freedom fighter, Dedan Kimathi Wachiuri. According to her family, she was born around 1922, two years younger than her husband. Unlike her husband, there is little in public domain regarding her early years, until 1952, when she followed her husband into the forest, joining the fight for freedom.

In that year, she painfully left behind her children and join Kimathi in the forest. Legend has it that she was probably the only one who had the courage to criticize his decision. In his article, “Women in War: The Untold Story of Mukami, Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi's Wife,” Kibaki Muthamia, captures the roles that Mukami played in the three phases of the war.

The first stage was recruitment and induction which she did by planning tribal dances which would be used for this purpose. The next stage was the binding oaths in which she was instrumental as a strategist. Finally, she helped with the repositioning of the fighters, including organizing a daring band of women. She was among the Mau Mau freedom fighters detained at the Kamiti Maximum Prison during the struggle for independence, although details of her arrest and detention are scant. 

Following the death of her husband, Mukami began a frantic search for her children, and luckily, she was united with all of them at various times and places. Among their children are sons Wachiuri and Maina and daughters Nyambura, Waceke,Wangeci, Nyakinyua Nyawira, Muthoni, Wangui and Wanjugu.

Like the othe freedom fighters, Mukami’s life post independence was hard, eking a living on a piece of land given to her by Jomo Kenyatta. She was a staunch advocate for the Mau Mau fighters full compensation. Yet, in spite of the spiteful treatment by the first two administrations, Mukami remained patriotic to her last breath.

Better days dawned during the Kibaki administration, during which Mau Mau movement was unbanned and officially registered. This opened the way for the freedom fighters, including Mukami to be recognized as national heroes. From that time, Mukami became a fixed feature in national celebrations, until her demise.

Mukami’s wish in life and in death, was however, unmet. She, and her family have made numerous pleas to the government to trace the unmarked grave of Dedan Kimathi but this, unfortunately has not been possible.  

She passed on at the Nairobi Hospital at the ripe old age of 101. May her soul rest in eternal peace.