One of the best ways to begin to explore these lingering questions is to
consider the actual testimonies and experiences of women who took the Mau
Mau oath. Their stories will be referenced throughout this chapter to frame the
oath-to-women discussion. S. Kakie was a young woman when she oathed to
participate in Mau Mau. Kakie recalled her oath words as:
“I joined the Mau Mau in 1956.1 was one of several Wakamba women who
participated in the struggle. I remember my oath. I promised I will not
reveal the oath to anyone. That was a big secret. If I found a white man's
gun, I will steal it and take it to the Mau Mau. I will fear nothing to the
extent of death. Even if I die, those who remained back will continue until
the common objective was achieved, being free, 's
Kakie’s testimony was one voice out of many women who bravely broke gender
norms and traditional constructs to stand up for her freedom and future.
All Mau Mau participants, women and men, had motives, imaginations,
and dreams for participating in the movement. Women joined the Mau Mau
movement for the same reasons as men - to fight for Kenyan freedom in the
1950s and to control their economic, social, and political conditions under
colonial rule and domination. Kakie’s story will be told in detail later in this
chapter; however, her words offer a rare window into the forged and collective
consciousness of women and men alike as an urgent response to British
injustice. Old gender roles were consciously transformed to address the new
societal needs where members unified across ethnicity, age, and gender.
Kakie’s testimony will be used as an example to understand the relationship
between the Mau Mau oath and women.
8 Interview, S. Kakie, January 2009, Machakos, Kenya.
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