women. Kakie still has many scars on her legs, thighs, chest, stomach, and
buttocks as a result of the beatings.43
Kakie did not mention any direct form of sexual abuse in her statements.44
However, this does not suggest that it did not happen. There is still much more to
know about the relationship between culture, women, rape, and war. Often
during war like the present day occurrences in the Congo and Sudan, the female
body is repeatedly used as the battleground. This abuse has had significant
cultural implications for the victims and the shame placed on their families. Kakie
was eventually saved because an officer, Mwanzia Kilungu, took Kakie and the
other women to his home one night where they stayed for two months. It was
mentioned that the two other women had chores to do in the house, but Kakie did
not mention any specific work that she had to do. He eventually returned her to
her father, and the father gave the officer a bull for saving them from being
detained, screened, and sent to the colonial detention camps.45
Kakie was very proud of her involvement and service to Mau Mau. This
attitude also signals a new story that is emerging on Mau Mau where the fighters
are being viewed as courageous leaders. She mentions that she often narrates
to her family various stories on how she and the others struggled to liberate their
country. She has three daughters and five sons. One of her sons gave Kakie the
label of a “freedom fighter” which she stated she wears with pride and honor.
43 Interview, S. Kakie, January 2009, Machakos, Kenya.
44 Case Trail Notes from Statements on June 2, 1955., KNA MLA 1/1276-CC 64/1955. Rex vs. Mukwate
SZOLetiandNjuguna P 10
45 Interview, S. Kakie, January 2009, Machakos, Kenya.
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