Mukami Kimathi, widow of freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi, dies in Nairobi

Mukami Kimathi, the widow of celebrated freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi, on Thursday night passed away at a city hospital aged 101.

The deceased has been in and out of hospital since January 5 when she was admitted at a local health facility after exhibiting symptoms of Pneumonia.

She was later discharged on January 12 after President William Ruto cleared her Ksh.1 million bill that barred her from leaving the premises. 

Speaking when he offered his condolences to Mukami's kin at the Lee Funeral Home on Friday morning, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua mourned the deceased as a staunch freedom fighter who played a key role in liberating Kenya from its colonial master.

“We are really saddened that we have lost this freedom fighter," said DP Gachagua, who noted that the State would work in tandem with Mukami's kin to give her a proper send-off.

Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, on his part, paid tribute to Mukami for selflessly sacrificing her life so that her fellow countrymen could be free.

“We are saddened by her demise but we also celebrate her life. Despite living her life under very difficult conditions, we all enjoyed the benefits that her husband agitated and fought for," said CS Kuria.

“Mukami may have died, but the question still remains, did those people who sacrificed most for this country to be where we are, did they reap the benefits? The government will support the family."