The name is absent

administration, guns, medicine, medical care, money, and encouragement from
the towns and Reserves to the forests.⁷¹

Because of their superior organizational skills, many women were able to
provide a much needed network to the forest fighters. According to Presley, the
network was well planned with a woman in each district being responsible for
securing supplies, establishing hiding places in her area, coordinating the
activities of the other women, and serving as the contact person for
communication.⁷² This individual made sure her district had what was needed to
keep the movement going. All interviewed provided testimonies of the
commitment and involvement of women, and they all mentioned the violence,
punishment, and danger associated with their participation. So although these
women were labeled “passive” in their activity, they were clearly integrated in the
movement as important players and were fully aware of the fatal risks associated
with their support.

The Female Mau Mau Scout

The role of a scout was typically performed by educated, young, and often
urban women. One of the most detailed accounts of this role is from Otieno’s
Mau Mau’s Daughter. Otieno took multiple oaths to become a scout; the first
occurred in 1952 before the State of Emergency was declared; the second oath
was taken in 1954. The first two represented an allegiance to the movement
where she declared to: fight for the recovery of the land stolen by the whites;

⁷¹ Presley, Kikuyu Women, TheMauMauRebellion, 130.

⁷² Presley, Kikuyu Women, TheMauMauRebellion, 131.

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