Kenyan historian Chao Tayiana Maina continues to document the often-overlooked history of the Mau Mau uprising, drawing stark parallels between colonial-era repression and current protest responses in Nairobi and beyond.
Passing of the Last Mau Mau General
The recent death of General Kiambati wa Njora, the last surviving Mau Mau general, at age 106 marks the end of an era. Njora, one of the 12 key leaders in the fight against British colonial rule, passed away on February 2, 2026, in Nyandarua County. His passing prompts reflection on the Mau Mau’s legacy of resistance from the 1950s, when fighters sought land and freedom through guerrilla warfare.
Echoes of Colonial Repression
Maina points out that tactics once deployed to dismantle the Mau Mau—such as mass detentions, forced labor camps, and efforts to erase their narrative from history—resurface in handling modern demonstrations. In Nairobi, protesters face similar strategies amid ongoing unrest over economic policies and governance issues.
“The blueprints used to crush and misremember the Mau Mau uprising persist,” Maina states, noting how authorities label activists as threats and suppress their stories.
Global Parallels
These patterns extend worldwide, where governments employ comparable methods against demonstrators. Maina emphasizes the need to recognize these continuities to prevent history’s repetition and honor the Mau Mau’s struggle for justice.
