A Biography of “Field Marshal” Muthoni Kirima of the Mau Mau movement, 1930-2015

Abstract

ABSTRACT Many studies have been carried out on the Mau Mau Movement but women leadership in the movement has generally been overlooked. This biographical study of Field Marshal Muthoni Kirima aimed at filling the gender gap in studies on the movement's leadership. The main objective of the study was to examine Muthoni's life, emphasizing her role in the movement as a leader and combatant. The scope of the study was the colonial and post-colonial period in Kenya. Extensive literature review was done along the following broad themes: Muthoni's early life, her contribution to the movement, role of women in Mau Mau in general, autobiographies by former Mau Mau fighters, biographies on Kenya's historical figures and theoretical review of preceding studies on the Mau Mau. The study was informed by the Great Woman Theory, a variant of the Great Man Theory. The study used the Patriarchy Theory to examine the role of gender in role allocation among the forest fighters. Descriptive Research Design was used to collect data on Muthoni's early life, her contribution to the Mau Mau movement and her life after the movement. Primary data was collected through interviews with Muthoni, Mau Mau Veterans, family and other people with credible information about her; focused group discussion with Mau Mau veterans; as well as review of Mau Mau memoirs. Archival sources were used to corroborate field data. Secondary sources were used to complement primary data. Collected data was processed and analyzed through coding process, verification and conclusion drawing. Field research was carried out in Nyeri, Nyandarua and Laikipia Counties. The County of Nyeri was the main research area as it lies between Mount Kenya and Aberdares forests, the battle field for the Mau Mau and Muthoni's residence. The study found out that women contributed to Mau Mau leadership and in combat despite a strong patriarchal establishment that sought to keep them out of these roles through stereotypes and taboos related to the woman body. Although Muthoni is the only known female to have sustained the guerilla spirit until 1963, her claim to the rank of Mau Mau field marshal in her own right attracts sharp criticism from her contemporaries. The study found out that Muthoni was not a Mau Mau Field Marshal in real sense but believes she deserves the title for her service to the movement up to 1963. Nonetheless, she is a true Mau Mau heroine and a patriot worth emulating. The findings were disseminated descriptively.