20/10/2023
GENERAL KUBUKUBU: SELFLESS FREEDOM FIGHTER WHO WAS BURNT ALIVE AND REMAINS FORGOTTEN
He was the most venerated freedom fighter within the colonial Embu country, his name means "heavy thud" and was coined out from the thud his feet made as he walked because of his heavily build stature. Kubu Kubu was born Njagi wa Ikutha in the late 1920s in Kianjokoma, Embu County and was the de facto leader of the Mau Mau Uprising battalion within the Embu country. He was also one of the key leaders of Mau Mau in Kenya, alongside Dedan Kimathi, Musa Mwariama, and Waruhiu Itote, alias General China. Itote widely mentions Kubu Kubu in his 1967 autobiography, "Mau Mau" General (East African Publishing House). During his time as Embu's independence war leader in 1950s, General Kubu Kubu lived in Kirimiri Forest Hill, in Mũkũũrî sub-location. Kubu Kubu was revered by people across Embu and feared by colonialists . He successfully led the community for more than 10 years in defending their land, and families from colonial aggression. In fact, while colonial settlers carved out African lands across Kenyan highlands for themselves, they were repulsed by the Embu. He also successfully raided colonial outposts in Embu and collected guns that were carefully distributed to the fighters.
Kubukubu, however, allowed schools to operate. Thus many old schools in Embu, including Kangaru, Kigari, and Muragari still operated as the freedom war was fought.
Around 1955, a breakaway group of Kikuyu and Meru Mau Mau fighters betrayed their Embu counterparts and stole many of their guns. The Embu fighters were forced to use the few remaining guns, and pangas and other crude weapons.
In his book, "Mau Mau" General, General Itote writes how Kubu Kubu ordered that traitors must be dealt with ruthlessly. He told Kimathi, Itote and other key leaders that not even women and children would be spared if they were found to be colonial collaborators. At this point, a trap was then set to arrest the general. A colonial informer lured the Embu fighters with a promise to assist them get pangas and other weapons. Kubu Kubu, as the leader, led a team to pick the weapons at a place called Itundu near Runyenjes town, where the colonialists shot him in the leg and arrested him.
He was frog-marched through Mukuuri and Kathande villages where all women were ordered to collect firewood, which were later used to burn him. Colonialists lynched him near Muragari Primary School in Mukuuri . He was not interred conventionally as colonialists made a huge pyre and set his body on fire, against Embu customs. They forced the women and children to watch the body go up in flames. They also humiliated women by forcing them to clap as the body turned into ashes.
In 1987, former Runyenjes legislator Stanley Nyagah organised his people and built a modern boarding primary school in Kubu Kubu's memory where his body was set ablaze.
Today, a street and a shopping centre in Embu town are named after him so is a road in Nyeri town named after him. Kirimiri forest still stands and a vibrant market centre called Mukuuri has developed near its base. The forest is a popular rendezvous for revellers and also a retreat centre. With the current political wrangling witnessed in Embu County a big question lingers; Do selfless leaders willing to die or be humiliated like our freedom hero General Kubukubu still exist? General Kubukubu, the true EMBU AND MERU spirit..
I will write more about our own Meru generals tonight. Meanwhile, if you have recommendations, kindy inbox
