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Will Kenya’s real heroes and heroines please stand up?
Oct 19, 2020
It has been 75 years since the end of World War II.
As we mark this year’s Mashujaa Day (Heroes’ Day), it should not be lost on us Kenyans’ contribution to WWII and other wars, which in my opinion is understated.
Many families had their sons conscripted to fight for the British Empire in North Africa, Myanmar and our neighbouring countries.
They may not have brought medals home, but they are heroes in their own right.
The few I have met are buried in nondescript places without military honours, with only a few making it to well-tended Commonwealth cemeteries.
What of those who never returned? Do we remember them? Do we honour them? I found several Kenyans buried in Burma (Myanmar) at Taukkyan War Cemetery in Yangon.
They include Kipsano Lagat, Mutua Matiku, Mwera Nzuki, M’thirare Kimbui, Kingori Kamwaro , Kirenge Chacha, Kimengich Terer, Odero Odinga, among others. Curiously, their next of the kin is not given. Where are their families?  I have some personal links to WWII; one of my uncles fought in Burma. The other in Tanzania and Uganda. In a curious twist of events, the Burma war veteran was detained by the same empire he fought for.
Remote parts of the country were popular with detention centres from Manyani to Lodwar.
All over the world, elaborate ceremonies were held to mark the end of WWII. We did not. Do we underestimate our role in this great war or we had more pressing issues?  Other heroes fought in the Mau Mau resistance and Somali. Peacekeepers have done their job in Sierra Leone, Sudan and other parts of the world.
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